Hayden Panettiere‘s sudden death at 36 has left residents of a luxury apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, stunned after the actress was found unresponsive inside one of the units.
According to a new report, one neighbor said residents were “shocked” to learn that the actress had died at Judson Mill Lofts, where she is said to have been staying temporarily.
Hayden Panettiere’s death has since prompted an investigation into what happened inside the apartment and the potential cause of her passing.
The circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s final hours have continued to emerge following her death on Sunday, August 16.
The neighbor told Page Six that residents had been surprised by the sudden police presence at the luxury complex. The actress had reportedly been staying at the property temporarily, and the apartment where she was found was identified as an Airbnb rental.
Panettiere’s neighbor noted that they had never seen her around the building before the news of her death emerged.
The neighbor said, “It’s still kind of jarring to hear that someone of her stature was here and then that tragically happened to her.”
This made the arrival of law enforcement and emergency personnel a particularly shocking sight for those living nearby.
“The coroner vehicle showed up and, of course, I knew then that there was a death,” the neighbor noted. “Then woke up this morning to hear that it was Hayden, which is just still shocking.”
Panettiere was best known for her roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” having started working in the entertainment industry as a child.
All Efforts By The Emergency Crews To Revive The Actress Proved Unsuccessful
5Panettiere was found in cardiac arrest after an acquaintance called 911 at about 1:51 p.m. Sunday, according to ABC News.
First responders arrived at the residence and found the actress unresponsive. Emergency personnel then initiated advanced cardiac life support measures and attempted to resuscitate her, but their efforts were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that an autopsy had been completed and that no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to her death.
However, her official cause and manner of death remain pending while authorities complete additional investigations. Page Six also reported that police found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
Although 911 dispatch audio reportedly referenced a possible overdose, authorities have not officially determined that to be the cause of her death.
Hayden Panettiere Had Battled Alcoholism And Postpartum Depression
5Panettiere had been open about the difficult personal battles she faced throughout her adulthood, including alcoholism and postpartum depression.
In a 2022 interview with “Good Morning America,” the actress explained that she struggled to distinguish between the two experiences.
She said, “I didn’t know where the alcoholism was ending, and the postpartum was beginning. And I ran myself pretty ragged.”
She also described the years surrounding her time on “Nashville” as difficult and said she eventually needed a break.
Her struggles with addiction and recovery later became part of the story she told in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” which was released in May 2026.
According to ABC News, the book explored her experiences with postpartum depression, addiction and recovery, trauma, domestic abuse and loss.
The Actress’s Ex-Boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, Admitted To Abusing Her
5Another painful chapter in Panettiere’s life involved her former boyfriend Brian Hickerson, whose relationship with the actress was marked by domestic violence incidents and arrests.
In May, Page Six reported that Hickerson addressed the abuse described in Panettiere’s memoir and acknowledged that he had been arrested for abusing her.
He also admitted that there was an incident he had hoped would not be included in the book.
He said, “Who wants to read something about themselves right?… But you gotta be vulnerable, and I did it, I did it, so?”
Hickerson recalled being drunk while Panettiere stood across the room holding a phone. He said he threatened to give her 10 seconds to run before throwing the phone at her. He also acknowledged another incident in which he had been drinking and became physical with her.
Panettiere had previously discussed the relationship as one of the traumatic experiences she endured. Her memoir allowed her to revisit those experiences and describe their impact on her life and recovery.
Hayden Panettiere’s Death Came After Years Of Personal Struggles With The Loss Of Her Brother, Jansen
5Panettiere’s death also came after the loss of her younger brother, Jansen, who died suddenly in February 2023 at 28. His death was reportedly caused by cardiomegaly, or an enlarged heart, along with aortic valve complications.
The actress later spoke openly about the grief she continued to experience following his death. She once admitted, “I will never be able to get over it. No matter how many years go by, I will never get over his loss.”
Despite the challenges she faced, Panettiere maintained a successful career that began when she was a child.
She became widely known for playing Claire Bennet in “Heroes” and Juliette Barnes in “Nashville,” while also appearing in films including “Remember the Titans” and “Scream 4.”
Her father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her death and asked the public to give the family privacy as they processed what he described as an unimaginable loss.