In the months preceding her untimely passing, Hayden Panettiere grappled with what insiders describe as “really severe” health complications, shedding light on the personal battles she faced.
According to Erick Orellana, a close confidant and personal hairdresser to the beloved “Nashville” actress, Panettiere’s suffering was plainly evident earlier this year, with significant issues stemming from her back pain, he revealed exclusively to Page Six.
The intensity of Panettiere’s pain was so acute, Orellana detailed, that it substantially impaired her ability to move—a stark reminder of the debilitating nature of her condition.
“At one point, moving her legs became a struggle,” Orellana recounted, emphasizing the severity of the actress’s plight.
A striking image from March captured Panettiere alongside her partner, Brian Hickerson, at Los Angeles International Airport, leaning on crutches for mobility, further illustrating the profound impact of her health issues on her daily life.
However, Panettiere’s pal did note that it seemed like the “Heroes” alum was “starting to be on the mend.”
A second source told Page Six that Panettiere had other struggles aside from her back pain.
“Earlier this year, she did seem a little tired at times. But she was a night owl, and… she has a lot on her plate,” the source said.
The insider claimed that Panettiere “suffered from anxiety at times” and would “occasionally take medication for that.”
“And every so often that could impact her speech,” the source said.
Hayden’s father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed the heartbreaking news of her death in a statement on Sunday.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” he said. “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. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”
Paramedics responded to a 911 call of an “unidentified female” going into cardiac arrest at an Airbnb rental inside the Judson Mill Lofts apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina on Sunday afternoon.
The 911 dispatch call exclusively obtained by Page Six revealed that authorities reported an “overdose” and that “CPR [was] in progress.”
Medics attempted to resuscitate Panettiere with advanced cardiac life support and chest compressions, but she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. She was 36.
Following the news of her tragic passing, another source told TMZ that Panettiere had recently been struggling with back pain.
Law enforcement sources also told the outlet that Narcan — a medicine typically used to quickly reverse an opioid overdose — was found on the scene.
Cops also said there were no signs of foul play, and there were also no signs of trauma at the time of her death, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
“An autopsy was completed today. At autopsy, no signs of trauma were discovered that would
have contributed to the death,” the Coroner’s Office told Page Six in a statement, adding that the cause of death has yet to be determined.
“This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time.”