Hayden Panettiere dies at 36; Nashville co-stars and peers pay tribute

Hayden Panettiere died on 16 August 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina, at age 36. Connie Britton posted on Instagram: "I love you girl. Sleep easy now." Charles Esten recalled meeting Panettiere at his Nashville audition — she had been eavesdropping through the door. Viola Davis, Selma Blair and Kim Cattrall also paid tribute, AP News reported.