“This doesn’t make any sense”: Heroes star Greg Grunberg mourns co-star Hayden Panettiere's sudden death

"Racing Stripes" Los Angeles Premiere - Red Carpet and After Party - Source: Getty
“This doesn’t make any sense”: Heroes star Greg Grunberg mourns co-star Hayden Panettiere's sudden death - Source: Getty: "Racing Stripes" Los Angeles Premiere - Red Carpet and After Party

Greg Grunberg, who audiences will remember as Matt Parkman from Heroes, is mourning the loss of his co-star Hayden Panettiere. The thirty-six year old actress, who played Claire Bennet alongside Grunberg on the hit NBC series, passed away on Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina. No official cause of death has been released, though the Greenville County Coroner's Office confirmed crews responded to a cardiac arrest call and that her autopsy showed no signs of trauma.

As per a report shared by the BBC, audio from police dispatchers revealed responding crews had detailed efforts to resuscitate her after a possible overdose. Police said there were no signs of foul play. Panettiere had spoken openly about her struggles with substance abuse over the years. Grunberg, who built a career playing the likeable everyman on shows like Felicity and Alias alongside Heroes, took to social media with his tribute.

"This doesn't make any sense. So talented, so kind, so loving, so funny, so fearless, so professional, so caring, so young, and will be so missed by so many. I remember when I first worked with her, preparing myself for a diva. Man, did she shatter that expectation. I learned so much from her. Watching how she carried herself on and off the set. She was wise and kind beyond her years," shared Grunberg.
"💔💔💔," he added.
Source: https://www.threads.com/@greggrunberg/post/DcKgnLolFmY?xmt=AQG0zzxtX_TBSCssfQC3SprOcYbr67egDDe_AuWsaN8twg
Source: https://www.threads.com/@greggrunberg/post/DcKgnLolFmY?xmt=AQG0zzxtX_TBSCssfQC3SprOcYbr67egDDe_AuWsaN8twg

Hayden Panettiere's father Skip leads tributes following actress's death:

Hayden Panettiere attends amfAR Gala Los Angeles 2022 at Pacific Design Center on November 03, 2022 in West Hollywood, California - Source: Getty
Hayden Panettiere attends amfAR Gala Los Angeles 2022 at Pacific Design Center on November 03, 2022 in West Hollywood, California - Source: Getty

Hayden Panettiere's passing was announced by her father, Skip Panettiere.

"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," shared Skip.

He asked for privacy "as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss."

Beyond Heroes, Panettiere had built a career that stretched back to her childhood. She played an up-and-coming country singer in Nashville, and as a younger actress had memorable roles in Remember the Titans, Raising Helen and the third installment of the Bring It On franchise. Bryan Fuller, the writer and producer who penned her character's storyline in the first season of Heroes, remembered her in a tribute of his own.

"Wise beyond her years and already saddled with so much of a life, she left an indelible mark on me as a writer and a storyteller. Incredibly sad news," shared Fuller.

Bryan Fuller also added that she was

"more than an actress, she was a muse."
Bryan Fuller attends the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards at Hollywood Palladium on February 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California
Bryan Fuller attends the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards at Hollywood Palladium on February 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California

Viola Davis, who had appeared alongside Panettiere in the 2016 courtroom drama Custody, also paid tribute on Instagram.

"What an amazing talent you were... so gifted," shared Davis.

Hayden Panettiere spoke candidly about postpartum depression:

Actresses Vanessa Hudgens, Susie Castillo and Hayden Panettiere arrive at the Neutrogena Fresh Faces Music event to benefit VH1's Save The Music Foundation at Jim Henson Studios on September 26, 2009 in Hollywood, California - Source: Getty
Actresses Vanessa Hudgens, Susie Castillo and Hayden Panettiere arrive at the Neutrogena Fresh Faces Music event to benefit VH1's Save The Music Foundation at Jim Henson Studios on September 26, 2009 in Hollywood, California - Source: Getty

Hayden Panettiere had spoken openly about one of the most painful chapters of her life earlier this year. Promoting her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, she sat down with Us Weekly and opened up about her postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter Kaya.

"I had it like all planned out in my head, and as the plans just collapsed, the postpartum came, and I was completely out of control, and suddenly I was this... I was nowhere near the mom that I had sworn to myself that one day I was going to be and that was devastating," she shared.
"That was devastating. It was heartbreaking. I'm such a perfectionist in so many ways that being at least a good mother was just so, so important to me. And such a crushing blow when I was incapable of being, an even semi-decent mom, in my mind," she continued.
Hayden Panettiere speaks on the red carpet at Jony And Marc's (RED) Auction at Sotheby's on November 23, 2013 in New York City- Source: Getty
Hayden Panettiere speaks on the red carpet at Jony And Marc's (RED) Auction at Sotheby's on November 23, 2013 in New York City- Source: Getty

Kaya, whom she welcomed with ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko in December 2014, eventually relocated to Ukraine to live with her father after Panettiere made the decision to sign over full custody while battling postpartum depression and addiction. She recalled the moment she signed those documents.

"It was a nightmare. It was a living nightmare, and I felt so out of control. There's nothing that I could do about it," she said.

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Edited by Ryan D'souza