Panettiere’s father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her death in a statement on Sunday.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” he said, describing her as “an incredible light and a force of nature” who brought love and joy to those around her and millions of viewers.

No cause of death was disclosed. A publicist for Panettiere did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Panettiere began her acting career as a child in 1996 and went on to build a diverse body of work in television and film.

She rose to international prominence as cheerleader Claire Bennet in Heroes, the NBC series centred on people with extraordinary abilities.

Her character became closely associated with the show’s catchphrase, “Save the cheerleader, save the world.”

Her other credits included voicing Dot in Pixar’s A Bug’s Life, as well as roles in Remember the Titans and Scream VI.

She also starred as country singer Juliette Barnes in the television drama Nashville.

Panettiere had spoken publicly about her struggles with alcohol addiction and depression, including difficulties she experienced following the birth of her daughter in 2014.

In her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, published this year, Panettiere also discussed her decision to give full custody of her daughter to her former partner, boxer Wladimir Klitschko.

Panettiere’s memoir generated headlines over its revelations, including about her past relationships.

In 2024, she described pain and grief after her younger brother died unexpectedly of an undiagnosed heart condition the previous year.

“When you lose somebody that you saw in all the important moments in your life, standing right next to you, it just rocks your world,” she told NBC’s “TODAY” show.