Skip Panettiere, the father of late “Nashville” actress Hayden Panettiere, shared a heartbreaking tribute to his daughter on what would have been her 37th birthday.
“Happy Birthday my sweet Hayden. Daddy will never stop missing you,” the mourning father shared via social media on Friday, August 21. “I can only hope that you are with Jansen and he has taken you by the hand.”
Hayden’s Death
The beloved actress was found unresponsive inside a Greenville, South Carolina, home on Sunday, August 16. The apartment was shared by her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson—both of whom were present at the time of her passing.
An investigation into her cause of death is being conducted after preliminary autopsy reports found no signs of foul play.
“The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office,” a spokesperson for the Greenville Police Department said. “The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.”
Skip shared a statement to ABC News at the time, confirming his daughter’s passing.
“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 said.
Panettiere leaves behind 11-year-old daughter Kaya, whom she shared with ex Wladimir Klitschko.
A Mourning Father
In addition to Hayden, Skip shared son Jansen Panettiere with his ex-wife Lesley Vogel.
Jansen tragically passed away on February 19, 2023, at the age of 28. Also an actor, known for his roles in “The Walking Dead,” “Ice Age: The Meltdown,” and other Disney Channel projects, died on an undiagnosed heart defect.
“Jansen’s heart could be seen in his eyes, and his charm in his brilliant, engaging smile; his soul in his masterful and revealing paintings, and the joy of life in his dry wit,” his family said in a statement to ABC News at the time.
Alongside his birthday tribute to Hayden on Friday, Skip shared a photo of his two children.
Friends flooded the comments section of his post with heartfelt tributes and condolences.
“Skip you raised 2 beautiful kids that had big hearts and wonderful personalities! The world was a better place because of them,” one friend wrote.
“Incredible lights. Forces of nature. Happy Birthday, Hayden. Sending so much love to you,” another shared.
A third noted, “Hi Skip, there just are no words. I’m so sorry for your loss… Please let me know if there is anything I can do. 💔”
“Skip, sorry for your loss… my heart goes out to you and prayer during this time of grief,” another wrote.
According to a report from the New York Post, Skip “retreated” after the death of his son. Neighbors told the outlet that it seemed “like he was starting to come back from it” shortly before Hayden’s death.
