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‘Heroes’ star Hayden Panettiere dies at 36 in Upstate

‘Heroes’ star Hayden Panettiere dies at 36 in Upstate

FILE - Hayden Panettiere participates in the BUILD Speaker Series to discuss the television series "Nashville" at AOL Studios on Jan. 5, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) Photo: Associated Press/The Associated Press


GREENVILLE, S.C. (828newsNOW) — Actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in “Heroes,” “Nashville” and the “Scream” franchise, was found unresponsive Sunday at a Greenville apartment complex and later pronounced dead. She was 36.

Panettiere was found at Judson Mill Lofts at 701 Easley Bridge Road, according to the Greenville Police Department. Officers and EMS personnel responded at about 1:50 p.m. Sunday after receiving a report of an unresponsive woman, police said.

Medical assistance was provided at the scene, but Panettiere was pronounced dead, according to police.

An acquaintance of Panettiere’s placed the 911 call, police said.

The Greenville Police Department said the case is being investigated in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. Authorities had not announced a cause or manner of death Monday.

Police said the preliminary investigation had not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.

Panettiere’s father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her death Sunday in a statement provided to ABC News.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” he said. “She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”

Why Panettiere was in Greenville

It was not immediately clear why Panettiere was in Greenville.

Greenville police have not said what brought the actress to the Upstate or whether she was staying at Judson Mill Lofts.

Her death came two days after her former “Nashville” co-star Charles Esten performed at The Foundry at Judson Mill on Friday, Aug. 14, as part of his Carolina Tour, according to information about the concert. There was no indication that Panettiere attended the performance or that her presence in Greenville was connected to the concert.

Panettiere played country singer Juliette Barnes on “Nashville,” which aired on ABC before moving to CMT. She performed her own music for the series, and songs from the show appeared on Billboard’s country charts. Her performance on the series earned her two Golden Globe nominations.

The Judson Mill complex, a former textile mill that has been redeveloped into a mixed-use property, includes The Foundry, a concert and events venue.

For now, authorities have provided few details about why Panettiere was in Greenville. Police said the investigation is ongoing and that the preliminary investigation has not indicated signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.

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