Actress Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36, a representative confirmed to ABC News. Her father, Skip Panettiere, expressed profound sadness in a statement, describing her as an "incredible light and a force of nature" who brought immense joy to those who knew her and to her fans worldwide.

The details surrounding her death have not yet been disclosed. Panettiere, who began her career as a child star, is best remembered for her iconic roles as Claire Bennet on the popular series "Heroes" and as Juliette Barnes on the musical drama "Nashville." Her film credits include notable titles such as "Remember the Titans," "Raising Helen," "Ice Princess," and "Scream 4." In May, she released a memoir titled "This Is Me: A Reckoning," where she candidly discussed her struggles with alcoholism and postpartum depression.

In a 2022 interview with "Good Morning America," Panettiere opened up about the challenges she faced, stating, "I didn't know where the alcoholism was ending and the postpartum was beginning." She described the years following her role on "Nashville" as particularly difficult and emphasized the need for a break during that time.

Panettiere was also a devoted mother to her daughter, Kaya Klitschko, born in 2014 with her ex-fiancé, heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. Tragically, her brother, Jansen Panettiere, passed away in February 2023 due to cardiomegaly and aortic valve complications, a loss she openly grieved, stating in a recent interview, "I will never be able to get over it. No matter how many years go by, I will never get over his loss." This news is still developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.