Hayden Panettiere's death and its aftermath

Key developments

1. Aug 18, 2026

   Hayden Panettiere, star of Nashville and Heroes, dies at 36, with details surrounding her death not yet released.

   805 sources on this →
2. Aug 18, 2026

   A judge denies motions by Panettiere's on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson to reduce or expunge his felony domestic-violence convictions following her death.

   5 sources on this →

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Photo: Toglenn / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Panettiere Dies in Greenville; Overdose Suspected

Hayden Panettiere, the star of Nashville and Heroes, has died, with a statement from her representatives to ABC News; details surrounding her death are not released and ages reported range from 36 to 38 across outlets.

805 sources

Hayden Panettiere Dies; Ex-Boyfriend's DV Charges Denied

Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson had motions to reduce or expunge his felony domestic-violence convictions denied by a judge, as prosecutors opposed the efforts amid her death at 36. TMZ and other outlets also report that the couple had kept their relationship largely private while she promoted a memoir, with friends saying they remained together for years despite a history of violence and ongoing questions about the circumstances of her death.