HAYDEN Panettiere’s tragic death had “no signs of foul play” with an “acquaintance” finding the actress unresponsive, police confirmed.

The beloved US actress, who was nominated for two Golden Globes, at the age of 36.

Hayden Panettiere (1989-2026)Hayden Panettiere died on Sunday, her heartbroken dad confirmed. Credit: Splash

The Heroes and Nashville star was found inside an apartment block in Greenville, South Carolina where she was pronounced dead.

Detectives said they responded on Sunday afternoon to a 911 call describing Hayden as “unresponsive” on the ground, according to the Daily Mail .

Her heartbroken dad Skip Panettiere said: “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 on screen.”

The actress’s grieving dad also asked for privacy “as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss”.

It means that Skip’s two children have both died within three years of each other after Hayden’s brother Jansen died at the age of 28 from “an enlarged heart” in 2023.

The mother-of-one, who would have turned 37 on Friday, had complained of back pain in the months before her death, sources told TMZ .

Her family did not give a cause or location of death.

US media reported both Hayden and her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, had flown out of on Saturday.

were reportedly responding to an “incident” involving the actress when they found her, with investigations still ongoing.

Hickerson was arrested and jailed for domestic violence in 2020.

Hayden, born in New York, first hit the screens as an 11-month-old child when her mum took her to star in several TV .