On the evening of August 16, 2026, fans around the world were heartbroken to hear that “Heroes” actress Hayden Panettiere had passed away at 36.
Shortly after, tributes from loved ones poured in on social media. Friends, family, and fans remembered the actress as kind and incredibly lively.
Now, “Princess Diaries” star Heather Matarazzo is sharing her own memories of her friend, Hayden Panettiere. The actress feels absolutely “devastated” by the loss.
Heather Matarazzo Honors Her Dear Friend, Hayden Panettiere
GettyHeather Matarazzo starred in “The Princess Diaries” films as Lilly Moscovitz, Princess Mia’s best friend. She met Hayden Panettiere during auditions and formed quite a strong bond with her.
After the news of her passing became public, the 43-year-old felt heartbroken.
“Devastated…… We first met on the LIRR traveling to NYC for auditions when we were both kids. Every time our paths crossed, my heart always filled up. She was special. She was a Sprite of a being and such a talent. Truly a light….. Love you, Hayden,” Heather Matarazzo penned an emotional tribute on Instagram.
“The Princess Diaries” star attached a photo of herself and the late actress. The women beam at the camera with an arm around each other. In the comments, fans left condolences for the actress and hoped Hayden Panettiere would rest in peace.
“Heartbreaking 💔 sending love 🙏🏽” one follower wrote.
“Sending you love @heathermatarazzo 🫶🏼🫶🏼💜 she will be missed and is so loved,” another added.
“This one really hurts, 💔” another shared their thoughts.
Inside Hayden Panettiere’s Final Social Media Appearances
Hayden Panettiere hadn’t been active on social media since the end of July. Her last Instagram post featured a fun night out with friends. She looked incredibly happy and excited to be out with friends.
“Good times and good friends @randallslavin ✨” she captioned the post, tagging the photographer. Fans flooded the comments with kind words for the late actress. They hoped she finally found peace.
In May, Hayden Panettiere sat down with Jay Shetty for an episode of his “On Purpose” podcast. In the preview, the 36-year-old wipes away tears as she describes her biggest challenges in life.
“I worked so hard to create this incredible life and career and I burnt it all to the ground. Don’t believe what you see in a picture. There’s so much more going on. So much more,” Hayden revealed.
The ‘Bring It On’ Alum’s Passing is Under Investigation
Right now, authorities are investigating the 36-year-old’s passing. While details are still emerging, a 9-1-1 call revealed information about cardiac arrest and a potential overdose.
ABC News reports that Panettiere’s family asks for privacy as they process the information and navigate the “unimaginable loss.”
“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,” a representative for the actress publicly stated immediately after the tragic news broke.
Our hearts go out to Hayden Panettiere’s loved ones during this heartbreaking time.
