Hayden Panettiere’s onscreen mother, Sylvia Jefferies, is mourning the actress with an unflinchingly honest tribute following her sudden death at 36. Jefferies, who portrayed Jolene Barnes, the troubled mother of Panettiere’s Juliette Barnes, on “Nashville,” remembered her former co-star as a brilliant but complicated “tornado” who sometimes struggled with powerful “inner demons.”
Her emotional message arrived as authorities continued investigating Hayden Panettiere’s death in Greenville, South Carolina. Although dispatch audio reportedly referenced a suspected overdose and Narcan was found inside the apartment, her official cause of death has not been established.
Jefferies shared photographs from her time with Panettiere, along with friendly text exchanges in which the actress addressed her as “mama.” The 57-year-old performer admitted that she needed time to process the idea that her former co-star was truly gone. “This hits deep. I’ve had to take the day to let the idea that Hayden is not with us wash over me. I shoot straight from the hip,” Jefferies began.
She then offered a candid description of Panettiere’s personality and the intense energy she brought into the lives of those around her. “At times, Hayden was not easy to be around. I remember calling her a downright tornado. But she was our tornado,” she added. “The sun that appears, the light mist that begins, the rain that gets heavier, the swirling of everything around her, and then the gentle tapering rain returns, along with the calm and sun and light in her eyes, and the giggle in her voice.”
Jefferies’ description acknowledged the difficult moments without allowing them to overshadow the affection she continued to feel for Panettiere. “She had an incredibly bright future ahead of her, although her inner demons were at times too much to bear,” she continued.
The ‘Nashville’ Co-Stars Became Close Offscreen
Jefferies played Jolene Barnes in a recurring role on the musical drama, while Panettiere starred as country singer Juliette Barnes. Their onscreen relationship was frequently defined by addiction, resentment, guilt and attempts at reconciliation. Away from the cameras, however, Panettiere reportedly began referring to Jefferies as “Mama.”
“I pause as I reflect on her, looking at photos, remembering scenes, listening to voicemails, and remembering the first time she called me ‘Mama’ while she shared stories of her youth,” Jefferies wrote. “We seemed far apart, but we were very close in our hearts. Our birthdays even being one week apart. 20 years (!) and one week apart.”
The actress revealed that she and Panettiere had recently reconnected after she read the “Heroes” alum’s memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” The two women had plans to reunite when Panettiere next passed through Greenville. Jefferies said they had even discussed surprising their fellow “Nashville” actor Charles Esten at one of his shows. “Hopefully surprising Deacon @charlesesten at his show on my birthday in Greenville. I was so proud of her for sharing the real Hayden, something that had to be excruciatingly painful for such a gentle soul,” she shared.
Esten portrayed Deacon Claybourne on “Nashville,” placing him at the center of many storylines involving both Juliette and the show’s fictional country music community.
Actress Imagines Panettiere Reunited With Her Brother
4Jefferies concluded her tribute by imagining Panettiere at peace with her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023. She also referenced Panettiere’s longstanding love of dolphins and her work supporting marine wildlife conservation.
“Our hearts are shattered, knowing that you are not just a phone call or text away, but we can rest easy knowing that you’re at peace, with your brother, dancing in that water with the dolphins for whom you cared so dearly. I love you, sweet girl,” she said. “Always, in all ways. Love, Mama.”
Hayden Panettiere’s Cause Of Death Has Not Been Disclosed
4Panettiere died Sunday in Greenville, just days before she would have turned 37 on August 21. Narcan, a medication commonly used to reverse an opioid overdose, was reportedly found on a mattress inside the apartment. It remains unclear whether anyone used it in an attempt to revive the actress.
Reported 911 audio indicated that Panettiere experienced cardiac arrest following a suspected overdose. However, that reference does not establish an official cause of death.
An autopsy was completed Monday, and authorities said no signs of trauma were found on Panettiere’s body.
‘Nashville’ Star Previously Discussed Her Addiction Battle
4Panettiere had been open about experiencing addiction from a young age, claiming she was given “happy pills” at 15 to make her appear more “peppy” during interviews. Her struggles later intensified after she welcomed her daughter, Kaya, in 2014 and developed postpartum depression.
Panettiere revisited those experiences in her memoir, which was released in May. The book also explored the painful decision to allow Kaya to live primarily with her father, former heavyweight boxer Wladimir Klitschko.