Hayden Panettiere’s loved ones are protecting her legacy.
Just over a week after the Heroesalum’s shocking death at age 36 from an apparent overdose, according to the 911 dispatch call, her rep has asked anyone from speculating about her death until official rulings are made.
“Many people who were not close to Hayden are using her death as an opportunity to fuel gossip and speculation about a situation they knew very little about,” an Aug. 25 statement from her rep to E! News read. “It is deeply disrespectful to her memory and to those who knew and loved her and are actively grieving this tremendous loss.”
The statement further urged, “If you have legitimate information that could be helpful, please contact law enforcement rather than turning to social media to speculate publicly about something you do not fully understand.”
So far, authorities have confirmed medical personnel responded to reports of an unresponsive woman, later confirmed to be Panettiere, administering CPR upon arrival. Panettiere, whose on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brotherZach Hickersonwere at the South Carolina apartment complex when EMS arrived, was eventually pronounced dead at the scene.
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But as Panettiere’s rep noted, the investigation is ongoing, confirming “those closest” to the late actress are “actively cooperating” with authorities “to help ensure that the truth comes to light and that justice is properly served.”
“There is much more to this story,” the statement added, “than what is currently being discussed publicly.”
In the days since the Nashvillealum’s heartbreaking death, many have spoken out to detail their experiences, including a former neighbor who made public comments about alleged happenings at Panettiere’s apartment around the time of her death. Additionally, a former director alleged Panettiere was “not OK” during their time filming together.
Elsewhere, countless former costars and loved ones of Panettiere have expressed their grief—including her ex Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she shared 11-year-old daughter Kaya.
“Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief,” Klitschko began under a photo with Panettiere and her daughter on Instagram Aug. 18. “The announcement of Hayden’s tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon.”
“Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya,” the 50-year-old continued. “She built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry. Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives.”
He also made a promise to preserve the Scream 4alum’s memory.
“To our daughter Kaya,” Klitschko noted, “I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was.”
For more tributes made in Panettiere’s honor, read on.
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“I was lucky enough to play your sister for 3 years. I related to you so much in so many ways. Ways that I never even told you,” Snow shared on her Instagram Story.”Your talent was remarkable & so was your determination to be a bold, bright shining light. And you were. Always supportive, curious, funny and brave.”
She added, “You will always be remembered undoubtedly for your undeniable strength and spirit.”
Duff ended with, “Sending a heart full of love to your family, the many people you impacted and everyone who loved you. rest easy.”
“Rest in peace sweet Hayden,” Cattrall wrote on Instagram. “Gone far too soon.”
“Hayden was always such a sweetheart- so rad – down to earth, kind, and consistently the same every time I saw her,” Manning wrote. “We shared so many funny little moments over the years… I don’t really have words for what has happened and she is suddenly gone. I’m just grateful I got to know her and have memories like this.”
“Perhaps most quietly powerful, she spoke openly about what so many are taught to hide: domestic violence, postpartum depression, addiction, recovery, and abuse,” she wrote. “She did not share these things for ease or attention, but because she understood what her silence could cost others.”
She added, “Her activism was not polished or performative. It was instinctive, human, sometimes messy, often vulnerable, and always sincere. She was willing to be uncomfortable, to be misunderstood, and to speak before the world was ready to listen.”
“I just wanted to acknowledge the tremendous loss, not only for the Kingdom Hearts family, but of course all of the close loved ones and the millions of lives that Hayden reached,” they said in an Instagram video. “Sending so much love to Hayden’s family, I’ll be thinking of Hayden and the legacy that she has left. Sending lots of love to the Kingdom Hearts community too and how we’re sharing in this loss.”
“Hayden Panettiere was a beautiful talent and beautiful soul,” the Scandal alum wrote. “Sending her family my love, thoughts and prayers.”PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images
“I first met Hayden when she was 16, and she was already a veteran actor with such bright spirit, and an older soul,” he wrote on Instagram. “I remember her as a fierce protector of animal rights and a ‘cheerleader’ for kindness, justice, and people being treated fairly – something that I’ve always appreciated.”
He also shared a reminder to online users, emphasizing, “Life can be so short… let’s send some love out to the world, our loved ones, and to those who need it most today.”
“I directed this video for @haydenpanettiere with @imsebastianstan,” he explained on Instagram. “When I saw her at Paris’ a couple months ago, we were cracking up over all the funny stuff we talked about between shots, pranking Klitschko in Miami, and how tiny she was. Such a sweet, tiny little bundle of joy. Your memory will always be a blessing.”
“My thoughts are with your daughter and those who truly love you,” she added. “I know that the ones that got to feel your gifts will forever feel blessed and grateful for you.”
“I’m crushed,” Bethany wrote in an Instagram post. “I knew the wild little blonde. Was she nine? Ten? I was eighteen. She ran through the Screen Gem studio hallways at 222 E44th St. laughing and playing games in between blocking and camera rehearsals. Long, unruly curls trailing behind her. She knew her lines and everyone else’s. Her intelligence was astonishing.”
Noting that the pair would “connect on and off over the years,” Bethany detailed feeling joy when they “were lucky enough to cross paths.”
“I dont understand how this is real,” she continued. “Everything seemed to be turning around. She was coming BACK to life, wasn’t she? It’s too young and there’s still so much more life. And her daughter…. Hayden, you are surround by love. I’m sorry for every moment I didn’t reach out or check in. This can’t be real..”
“Julius [Tennon] and I loved working with you,” Viola wrote in her Aug. 17 Instagram post, “an old, wise soul with such a deep heart. I wish the world had more time with you because I had a burning curiosity about who you were becoming. I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes. Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy.”
“You will be remembered,” the Fences star added. “Rest well, Hayden. Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you. May they always speak your name.”
Osbourne praised Panettiere as being “such a good friend.”
“I will never forget you, Hayden, and I will always believe you deserved better,” the Osbournes alum added. “Rest in peace, sweet princess. You will never be forgotten.”
“You were so special,” he wrote on his Instagram Stories alongside a clip of her podcast episode. “May you always be protected and peaceful.”
“Devastated,” she captioned a photo of the pair on Instagram. “We first met on the LIRR traveling to NYC for auditions when we were both kids. Every time our paths crossed, my heart always filled up. She was special. She was a Sprite of a being and such a talent. Truly a light…..Love you, Hayden.”
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