Hayden Panettiere’s final months appeared to be marked by a painful physical struggle, with videos showing the actress finding it hard to walk before her sudden death at 36.
The actress had reportedly been dealing with severe back pain and nerve damage throughout the year, leaving her struggling to move normally during several public appearances.
In one of her last interviews, Hayden Panettiere opened up about fears that her condition could leave her paralyzed, describing the experience as the scariest physical ordeal she had ever faced.
Panettiere was seen struggling with her mobility several times in the months leading up to her death.
According to a news outlet, the actress was photographed using crutches while making her way through Los Angeles International Airport in March.
She was accompanied by her on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and appeared to be having difficulty walking.
When asked about the crutches, Panettiere explained that she had been dealing with some nerve damage in her lower back.
The actress was also seen receiving assistance while leaving a vehicle outside CBS Studios in May as she promoted her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” Footage appeared to show her holding onto her assistant while walking into the studio.
Another video from May reportedly showed Panettiere struggling with her right leg as she walked through New York.
The repeated appearances came after she had reportedly been dealing with persistent back problems for months, making her final public moments particularly difficult to watch.
See the photos here.
The Actress Was Found Dead In Greenville, South Carolina
5Panettiere was found unresponsive at a luxury Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, according to the Daily Mail.
Emergency responders were called to the property after a report of a woman in cardiac arrest. First responders attempted to revive the actress using advanced cardiac life support measures, but their efforts were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.
An autopsy has since been completed, but officials have not yet determined her official cause and manner of death. According to the report, authorities found no signs of trauma that would have contributed to her death.
Police have also reportedly found no evidence of foul play, leaving investigators to continue examining the circumstances surrounding her sudden passing.
Reports Raised Questions About Hayden Panettiere Suffering A Possible Overdose
5Questions surrounding Panettiere’s cause of death intensified after details from the emergency response emerged. According to reports, 911 dispatchers described the situation as a cardiac arrest and suspected overdose.
Narcan, a medication commonly used to reverse opioid overdoses, was also said to have been found on the mattress at the apartment where she was staying.
However, an overdose has not been officially confirmed as the cause of Panettiere’s death.
The actress had previously spoken publicly about her struggles with opioid and alcohol addiction, including her journey through rehabilitation and recovery. She had also discussed the impact of addiction and mental health challenges in her memoir.
The Actress Once Feared Her Injury Could Leave Her Paralyzed
5The back injury was more than a temporary inconvenience for Panettiere, who revealed that she had experienced frightening symptoms connected to nerve damage.
In an interview with Women’s Health, the actress said: “It’s the scariest thing that has ever happened to me physically, for sure.”
She also talked about how she had woken up one day unable to properly feel or move parts of her lower body. She recalled experiencing pins and needles from her waist down and being unable to bend her toes or lift her foot.
Panettiere admitted that the uncertainty surrounding the condition left her wondering whether she would ever walk normally again.
The actress had also suffered previous injuries during the course of her career, including injuries sustained while performing physically demanding roles. Her recent nerve damage, however, appeared to have a particularly profound effect on her mobility.
Hayden’s Mental Health Struggles Led To Her Giving Up Her Daughter’s Custody
5Panettiere’s physical difficulties came after years of battling addiction and mental health challenges, including severe postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya.
The actress gave full custody of Kaya to her former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko in 2018 while she focused on getting the treatment she needed.
Panettiere later explained that the decision was not one she made lightly, but believed putting her daughter first meant taking time to recover and become the mother Kaya needed.
In a podcast interview with Jay Shetty, she said, “The idea that anyone will think that I would just give away my child and be okay with it is heartbreaking and couldn’t be further from the truth.”