Los Angeles. Hayden Panettiere, the actress best known for her roles in the television series “Heroes” and “Nashville,” has died at 36, according to media reports.

Panettiere’s representative confirmed her death in a statement to ABC News.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. 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,” the representative said.

The family asked for privacy as they “process this unimaginable loss.”

Details surrounding Panettiere’s death were not immediately available. TMZ reported that law enforcement responded to an incident involving the actress and that an investigation into her death was underway.

Born in 1989, Panettiere began her career as a child actress and went on to appear in numerous film and television productions.

She rose to international fame as cheerleader Claire Bennet in NBC’s “Heroes,” which ran from 2006 to 2010. She later starred as country singer Juliette Barnes in the musical drama series “Nashville.”

Her film credits included “Remember the Titans,” “Ice Princess,” “Scream 4” and “Scream VI.” She also lent her voice to the video game “Until Dawn.”

Panettiere released her memoir, “Scream and Shout,” in May, in which she reflected on her experiences as a child star, motherhood, addiction, and recovery.

In recent years, she spoke publicly about the pressures of growing up in the entertainment industry and her struggles with addiction and recovery.

She also discussed her relationship with her mother, who managed her career when she was a child, as well as the challenges she faced in her personal life.

Panettiere is survived by her daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with former professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko. Her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023 at age 28.

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