“It is deeply disrespectful”: Hayden Panettiere’s rep reportedly accuses people using actor’s death to fuel “gossip and speculation”

Hayden Panettiere passed away on August 16, at thirty-six years old. As per the Greenville County Coroner's Office, a 911 call was placed reporting a cardiac arrest, and first responders were unable to revive her.

In the days that followed, online speculation about the circumstances of her death spread rapidly. Her representative has since pushed back against that, sharing a statement with Us Weekly that called the behavior disrespectful to those actively grieving.

"Many people who were not close to Hayden are using her death as an opportunity to fuel gossip and speculation about a situation they knew very little about. It is deeply disrespectful to her memory and to those who knew and loved her and are actively grieving this tremendous loss," the statement read.

The This Is Me: A Reckoning author's rep also pointed people with genuine information toward law enforcement rather than social media, adding that

"there is much more to this story than what is currently being discussed publicly, and those closest to Hayden are actively cooperating with the ongoing investigation to help ensure that the truth comes to light and that justice is properly served."

Hayden Panettiere's neighbor speaks out about a car spotted outside her apartment:

Brian Hickerson, who had been Panettiere's on-off boyfriend since 2018, was on the scene when she was found dead. The thirty-six-year-old's relationship with the actress had been turbulent, a situation which had resulted in multiple domestic violence arrests over the years.

In the days following her passing, a neighbor came forward with claims that raised eyebrows. The woman spoke to Billy Bush in a video shared Monday, August 24, saying she had walked down to Hayden Panettiere's apartment and noticed a car parked outside.

"I saw a car in her parking space. I had walked down to look at her apartment and I heard someone speaking in the apartment," she said.

She went back a couple of hours later. That's when things got stranger.

"I noticed their Ring camera had tried to be ripped from the wall and someone placed black electrical tape over the speaker and the camera. I don't have any idea what was going on," she claimed.

As per a source close to the family who spoke with Us Weekly, those cameras were connected to Hickerson's phone.

"That's why they have black tape over them. It remains under investigation and nosey neighbors need to let law enforcement do their job," the source said.

Hickerson addressed the situation through a statement shared via his attorney with Us Weekly.

"Hayden's death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed. Police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden's loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time," the statement read.

How the Heroes cast honored Hayden Panettiere following news of her passing:

The Heroes cast got together recently to celebrate their co-star's life. Jimmy Jean-Louis shared photos from the gathering on X, calling it deeply emotional. He wrote that despite the sadness, there was "so much love, gratitude and warmth" among those present, signing off with

"Au revoir Hayden."

Jack Coleman, who played her father on the show, also shared a tribute on Instagram. The two had worked together since the very first episode of Heroes, twenty years ago.

"I'm heartbroken. I couldn't begin to put my thoughts into words until now, and they will be inadequate. I've loved Hayden since day one of the pilot of 'Heroes,' 20 years ago, when she introduced herself by shouting 'daddy' and throwing her arms around me. From that day on, she called me daddio. She was Haydini, because she was a magician," he wrote.

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Hayden Panettiere's father, Skip, confirmed her passing in a statement to ABC.

“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,” he shared.

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