The star of ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville’ has died at age 36, her agent has confirmed, with her family issuing a statement to ask for privacy after they navigate their shock loss

Advertisement

Heroes and Nashville star Hayden Panettiere has died, her representative confirmed to ABC News. She was 36 years old.

A statement from Panettiere’s father was shared with the American news network, asking for privacy as the Panettiere family navigates their grief.

“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,” her father, Skip Panettiere, said in a statement.

The details around her death are unknown.

In addition to Heroes and Nashville, Panettiere’s acting credits include the films I Love You, Beth Cooper, Scream 4 and Scream VI, and the TV movie Amanda Knox.

Actress Hayden Panettiere has tragically died at the age of 36.

Panettiere, known for her roles on the hit NBC series Heroes and musical drama Nashville, was remembered as ‘an incredible light and a force of nature.’ She leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter.

Representatives for the former child star announced on Sunday: ‘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.’ 

Her cause of death was not immediately clear.

But law enforcement sources have confirmed to TMZ that police responded to an incident involving the actress and an investigation is ongoing.

Sources also told the outlet that Panettiere had been recently complaining of back pain and that her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, flew from Los Angeles to see her just one day before her tragic passing.

The Hollywood star earned multiple award nominations across her career, most notably while playing cheerleader Claire Bennet on Heroes and Juliette Barnes on Nashville.

She also appeared in the Scream franchise as Kirby Reed, and lent her voice to the video game Until Dawn. 

The tragic news comes just months after her memoir, This is Me, became a New York Times bestseller. 

The tragic news comes just months after her memoir, This is Me, became a New York Times bestseller

Panettiere is remembered for her roles as Claire Bennet on the hit NBC series Heroes

In the book, Panettiere described how she contended with fame and handled the difficulties in her life. 

She had relinquished custody of her daughter to her ex, former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko, while struggling with postpartum depression in 2018. 

Panettiere first started acting at just 11 months old when she appeared on screen in a commercial.

Her full-time acting career then began in 1994 when she played Sarah Roberts in the ABC soap opera One Life to Live until 1997. She then played Lizzie Spaulding in the CBS soap opera Guiding Light from 1996 to 2000.

For her role on Pixar’s A Bug’s Life, she was nominated for a Young Artist Award and Grammy Award, making her the fifth-youngest nominee for a Grammy. 

Her other credits include Remember the Titans, Ally McBeal, Racing Stripes, Ice Princess and I Love You, Beth Cooper. 

Panettiere also recorded a number of songs for the films and television programs she was in, including My Hero is You for the Disney Channel film Tiger Cruise and I Fly for the Disney film Ice Princess, which she co-starred in with the late Michelle Trachtenberg. 

Panettiere started out as a child star, with her first acting gig at just 11 months old

Panettiere leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter with ex Wladimir Klitschko

She played Juliette Barnes on the ABC show Nashville, releasing a number of her own songs

Advertisement

Her first single not associated with an acting role, the reggae-infused Wake Up Call, was digitally released on August 5, 2008.

Clothing brand Candie’s announced it was premiering an ad campaign for the single in late July of that year, and provided additional promotion for the song with a television ad and a music video starring Sebastian Stan, who played Panettiere’s brother in The Architect.

More recently, Panettiere has come out as bisexual.

‘It’s sad that I had to wait till I was 36 years old to share that part of me, but better late than never, right?’ the Nashville alum told Us Weekly in May.

‘I’ve chosen to share it with the world, I’m comfortable saying I’m bisexual. I’m comfortable to confidently say that, yes, I am bisexual. I said it!’

Despite having little privacy due to ‘paparazzi always outside waiting for me,’ Panettiere still managed to secretly date women, whom she preferred to men from ‘a very, very young age.’

‘[I was] much more into women,’ the two-time Golden Globe nominee said.

‘But, yeah, I have explored it, but I don’t think I ever had the courage, because I hadn’t shared this with anybody. 

‘I didn’t really have the courage to throw myself fully, emotionally into it, because then if I did fall in love, that wasn’t something that I wanted to ever have to hide. I didn’t feel confident enough, and I was too afraid to really let that part of me explore that part of me.’

This is a breaking news story.  

The supermarket is slashing the price of bread, milk and eggs by up to 85% for customers ordering groceries through Uber Eats.

The offer runs for 24 hours only on Monday, August 17, with shoppers able to grab:

• Co-op White Toastie Loaf 800g – 15p, down from 90p
• Co-op British Medium Free-Range Eggs 6s – 30p, down from £2.10
• Co-op Fresh Semi-Skimmed Milk 4 Pints – 30p, down from £2

Co-op is slashng the price of eggs to 30p (Image: Co-op)

That means shoppers can pick up all three staples for just 75p, although delivery and service fees are not included.

The deal is available through participating Co-op stores on Uber Eats, while stocks last.

Kate McCrae, Co-op Retail Director, said: “For 24 hours only, we’re making it even easier for shoppers to pick up everyday essentials at an incredibly low price, with the added convenience of having them delivered straight to their door through Uber Eats.

“A loaf of bread, four pints of milk and a box of eggs for just 75p is an offer that speaks for itself.”

Co-op is cutting the price of bread, milk and eggs to as little as 15p for 24 hours, with shoppers able to get all three essentials for 75p. (Image: Co-op)

“We’re experts in rapid delivery here at Co-op and we’re proud to combine this expertise with the very best own-brand products and great-value offers, to keep customers stocked-up round the clock, whatever their needs.”

Fresh fruit and veg also half price every Monday

The one-day essentials deal comes alongside Co-op’s ongoing Fresh Mondays promotion on Uber Eats.

Every Monday, customers can get 50% off selected fresh fruit and vegetables, giving shoppers another chance to cut the cost of their weekly shop.

Examples include:

• Co-op Hand Picked Blackberries 150g – £1.63, down from £3.25
• Co-op Strawberries 300g – £1.48, down from £2.95
• Pink Lady Apples 4 pack – £1.43, down from £2.85
• Co-op Seedless Mixed Grapes 450g – £1.40, down from £2.80
• Co-op Hand Picked Raspberries 150g – £1.35, down from £2.70
• Co-op Irresistible Exceptionally Sweet Cherry Tomatoes – £1.35, down from £2.70
• Co-op Irresistible Vine Ripened Baby Plum Tomatoes – £1.35, down from £2.70
• Albert Bartlett Home Grown Potatoes 2kg – £1.35, down from £2.70
• Co-op Asparagus 250g – £1.30, down from £2.60
• Co-op Sweet Peppers 3 pack – £1.23, down from £2.45

Recommended reading:

Co-op members can also access exclusive member prices on Uber Eats, including offers on the retailer’s Aldi Price Match range.

Orders can be delivered through Uber Eats from participating Co-op stores, with delivery costs starting at 79p and some orders arriving in as little as 30 minutes.

The 75p essentials offer is available on Monday, August 17 only, and is limited to one of each item per order and is subject to availability and participating stores.

Delivery and service fees apply.

What’s the cheapest you’ve seen bread, eggs and milk for? Tell us in the comments below.

Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville, and the Scream franchise, has died aged 36.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” Panettiere’s representative said in a statement to ABC News. “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.”

The Independent has reached out to her representatives for comment.

Panettiere became one of the most recognisable young actors on American television after being cast as cheerleader Claire Bennet in the NBC superhero drama Heroes, which ran from 2006 to 2010. She later played country singer Juliette Barnes in Nashville, a role that earned her two Golden Globe nominations.

More follows

Cute beach huts line this stunning beach

While Cambridgeshire isn’t lucky to have beaches, it is within easy reach of beach destinations. The neighbouring borders of Suffolk and Norfolk are home to some of the most gorgeous beaches in the country.

Some offer a peaceful day out, while others offer a more fast-paced trip out. One beach in Suffolk offers a quieter trip, but still has lots on offer to enjoy.

The “attractive” seaside town of Felixstowe is full of family-friendly spots that make for a perfect summer’s day out. It is also within easy reach of Cambridge as it’s an hour and 25-minute drive.

The four-mile long beach is made up of sand and shingle. It’s also home to a “picturesque” promenade that is lined with cute beach huts, some of which people can hire.

On the Suffolk Coast website, it says: “South beach has all you need for a fun, family day out, with amusements, cafes, shops selling buckets and spaces and kiosks selling ice creams and snacks.”

The stretch of beach is also award-winning, after it won a Blue Flag and Seaside award in 2025. This award recognises high standards of beach management and water quality.

The beach is also an ideal good one to swim in, as long as it is done safely. For pet owners, Felixstowe beach is also dog friendly.

Dogs are allowed on some parts of the beach, however parts where they aren’t allowed include parts of the Landguard Coastal Nature Reserve. For the kids (and also adults) there are lots of “traditional” amusements to try and win some prizes.

Whether it’s the 2p machines or grabbers, the machine you want will guarantee be in Felixstowe.

It had been left there by a member of the public

Police have shared an update after a suspicious “package” was left on a desk at a Peterborough hospital. Police attended Peterborough City Hospital at around 4.10pm (Friday August 14) after they were called to reports of an “incident”.

They found that a package had been left on a desk by a member of the public. It then emerged that when police checked the package, it was a medical advice.

This morning (August 16) Cambridgeshire Police said a “package had been left on a desk by a member of the public. When opened and checked by police it turned out to be a medical device.”

Fire services have confirmed that they were alerted about the incident on Friday, but were not required to respond. The North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust was also contacted for comment.

New The Voice UK judge Kelly Rowland has said she is looking for “an artist that makes you feel something” as she joins the show.The 45-year-old former Destiny’s Child singer will replace country star LeAnn Rimes, who left after one season, as a coach on the singing programme’s British edition, having previously appeared on the Australian version of the show between 2017 and 2020.She said: “I’m the coach who wants to get to know you, not just your voice. I’m not necessarily looking for the perfect voice.“I’m looking for an artist that makes you feel something. There’s already so much negativity in the world so if I can be somebody who makes the contestants feel stronger, more confident and seen, that’s what I want to do.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by ITV (@itv)Rowland said she was attracted to the UK edition due to the relationship between the British and American music industries.She added: “I’ve been blessed to sit in that chair in different places around the world, but every version of The Voice has its own heartbeat.“The musical relationship between the UK and the US is incredible, because it’s always been a two-way exchange, and the radio DJs here really champion the music.“It’s always so exciting to be here. I love discovering somebody who walks on to that stage without anybody knowing their name and leaves with the whole room knowing exactly who they are.”Rowland said British artists are “not afraid to mix influences” and have “a strong tradition of storytelling and musicality”.A change for the new series is the rewind button, which will give each coach one chance during the blind auditions to change their mind about an act who has left the stage without a single chair turn.If a coach thinks they have made a mistake, they can press rewind, bring the act back, and offer them a place on their team.Emma Willis – who will host the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing – will also return to The Voice this season.Rowland began her

The Met Office has given its forecast for the week beginning Monday, August 17

It is set to be a wet start to the week as temperatures begin to drop into the mid-teens across Northern Ireland.

The Met Office has given its forecast for the week beginning, Monday, August 17, saying there will be grey skies to beginning thee morning ahead of downpours in the afternoon with temperatures reaching highs of 19 degrees.

The overcast skies are set to continue into Tuesday, August 18, with the forecaster saying that it will be a cloudy morning with the possibility of rain showers in a few places. However the sun is set to appear later in the day alongside further spells of rain in places.

Wednesday, August 19, is predicted to see sunnier skies, but the risk of rain will be there throughout the day with temperatures reaching 18 degrees. This weather is set to continue into Thursday, August 20, with sunny spells and rain showers forecast throughout the day.

The Met Office outlook for Monday said: “Cloudy with some patchy light rain and drizzle in the morning. Outbreaks of rain will become more extensive through the afternoon, turning persistent and occasionally heavier later on. Maximum temperature 18 °C.”

It continued: “A showery outlook with some brighter conditions too, feeling fresher with northerly winds developing later on Wednesday and Thursday.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

After a balmy heatwave week, Tuesday is set to be a washout for millions as rain comes to help alleviate the drought seen across the country caused by Britain’s hottest ever summer

Dozens of major UK towns and cities are set to be drenched on Tuesday as a wall of rain soaks the country.

After weeks of sunshine, and 38C recorded last Thursday (August 13), this week gets off to a wet start. A band of heavy rain will move over Britain on Monday evening (August 17) into Tuesday (August 18).

It will be followed by more showers as Tuesday progresses. In total, 60 major towns and cities will get wet.

The Met Office forecast for Monday is: “Remaining cloudy in the north with outbreaks of rain, turning heavier and more persistent later. Further south, hazy sunshine will develop, making it feel very warm and humid.”

Meteorologists said of Tuesday to Thursday: “Rain gradually clearing to the south throughout Tuesday introducing fresher conditions. Largely dry in the south Wednesday, otherwise a mix of sunshine and showers. Showers becoming more widespread Thursday.”

In a Sunday update, Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan added: “I can’t promise rain for all of us through the week ahead, but in the south at least, it’s looking like the most changeable week we’ve seen here – well at least since the end of June.

“So as well as some rain, showers, and even thunderstorms in places, it will certainly feel considerably fresher than recent weeks in the south.”

Weather maps show a band of heavy rain arrives on Monday, and soaks Scotland, north Wales, and northern England in the early hours of Tuesday.

By 7am, that wall of rain has moved eastwards to Europe, but it is followed by outbreaks of rain across the western side of the country. South west England, Wales, and western Scotland should all expect rain.

As the morning progresses, showers start to fizzle out, with only a few isolated downpours at lunchtime. However, by mid-afternoon, more rain returns in Scotland.

Later on, in the evening, more rain arrives for England and Wales as another band of rain hits the Midlands and south east, which then moves out to East Anglia.

This is a list of the 60 major towns and cities expected to see rain on Tuesday, August 18.

Scotland

• Aberdeen
• Dundee
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow

Northern Ireland

• Belfast
• Derry / Londonderry

Wales

England

North West

• Blackburn
• Blackpool
• Bolton
• Liverpool
• Manchester
• Oldham
• Preston
• Stockport

North East

• Gateshead
• Middlesbrough
• Newcastle upon Tyne
• Sunderland

Yorkshire and the Humber

• Bradford
• Huddersfield
• Hull
• Leeds
• Rotherham
• Sheffield
• Wakefield
• York

West Midlands

• Birmingham
• Coventry
• Solihull
• Stoke-on-Trent
• Walsall
• Wolverhampton

East Midlands

• Derby
• Leicester
• Northampton
• Nottingham

East of England

• Cambridge
• Colchester
• Ipswich
• Luton
• Norwich
• Peterborough
• Southend-on-Sea

South West

• Bournemouth
• Bristol
• Exeter
• Gloucester
• Plymouth
• Poole
• Swindon

South East

• Brighton & Hove
• Milton Keynes
• Oxford
• Portsmouth
• Reading
• Southampton
• London

Sources say the BMW occupants were wearing balaclavas or masks when the car ploughed head-on into a family’s vehicle on the M9 in Co Kildare

Five teenagers ‘wearing balaclavas’ were killed when they drove a ‘stolen BMW’ the wrong way down a motorway for a second time.

The five teens were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on the M9 in County Kildare, Ireland, on Sunday (August 16). Another four people, thought to be a family travelling in another car to the airport for their holiday, have also been seriously hurt.

Irish police (gardaí) sources told the Irish Mirror they did not pursue the car when it hurtled down the motorway in the wrong direction, and are working on a theory that the teens stole the BMW and drove it on the opposite side of the road in the knowledge they would not be chased.

“Members disengaged the first time it went down the road the wrong way – and didn’t get a chance to engage the second time,” a source said this evening.

It has also emerged that the occupants of the high-powered BMW were all wearing balaclavas or masks when it collided head-on with a family’s car in the crash on the M9 in Co Kildare in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Sources also reveal that the crash scene was so devastating that gardaí initially believed only four teenagers had perished in the collision, as that number were visible amongst the wreckage of the BMW, reports

It was not until late in the afternoon, when specialists moved the vehicle from the scene, that gardaí discovered the fifth body beneath the car.

Sources further indicate that gardaí are pursuing the theory that the car the teenagers were travelling in had been stolen in Athy, Co Kildare earlier that morning.

It has also emerged that officers had been alerted to a group of teenagers attempting to break into cars and homes in the town during the early hours — some time before the fatal crash occurred.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly tonight released a statement regarding the crash, as two separate investigations were launched into the tragedy.

An Garda Síochána is conducting an inquiry into the collision itself, while independent policing watchdog Fiosrú has also launched its own investigation.

That probe centres on any potential interactions gardaí may have had with the vehicle in the lead-up to the crash, which occurred near the Moone and Athy motorway exit at around 3am.

The incident comes just a week after a similar collision on Dublin’s M50, in which a stolen car smashed into an innocent motorist’s vehicle in the early hours of the morning.

Much like this weekend’s devastating crash, that vehicle was also travelling on the wrong side of the road.

Mr Kelly stated that both crashes highlighted the sheer recklessness of driving against the flow of traffic — a tactic increasingly employed by young criminals, who are aware that gardaí will not pursue them.

Advertisement

Mr Kelly said: “My thoughts are with those injured in this morning’s collision on the M9. These family members were travelling innocently when they were struck by a vehicle being driven the wrong way down the motorway.

“This horrific incident, following the recent collision on the M50, shows how irresponsible and dangerous driving on the wrong-side of the motorway is.

“That, of course, should be self-evident, but what makes this reckless behaviour even more appalling is that in some cases it is being done for social media likes regardless of the potentially devastating impact it might have on innocent people and themselves.

“As this particular incident has been referred to Fiosrú, the Police Ombudsman, I am constrained in what I can say in detail about this incident, but I know that Gardaí do what they can to stop such vehicles while also taking into consideration all other road users.

“Gardaí are put in a really challenging situation dealing with such incidents. As always, An Garda Síochána will fully cooperate with the Police Ombudsman investigation which I hope is completed as expeditiously as possible.

“My thoughts are also with all members of An Garda Síochána and the emergency services who had to deal with this awful incident this morning. Such incidents show the difficult work we ask our Gardaí to undertake every day to keep our communities safe.”

The Irish Mirror has established that the terrifying incident began approximately 30 minutes before the collision, when gardaí first became aware that the BMW was behaving suspiciously.

Advertisement

Officers spotted the vehicle and attempted to bring it to a halt, but it sped onto the motorway travelling against the flow of traffic, prompting them to disengage immediately.

It is understood that the car subsequently performed a U-turn, rejoining the M9 — this time traveling in the correct direction.

The vehicle then exited the motorway at Junction 2A, near a filling station and food area.

Gardaí had been preparing to deploy a stinger device on the motorway to puncture the car’s tyres when those inside spotted one of the force’s vehicles and accelerated away.

The car drove the wrong way down the exit ramp before speeding along the motorway once again, travelling against oncoming traffic. Gardaí did not give chase.

Within minutes, however, the BMW collided head-on with a Hyundai travelling in the correct direction, with devastating consequences.

All five teenagers in the BMW were killed instantly, while the four innocent occupants of the Hyundai sustained injuries.

It is understood the victims were an extended family from Carlow who had been heading to Dublin Airport for a break.

The family comprised a seven-year-old child, a woman in her 20s and two women in their 30s, all of whom were injured.

“The female driver and front passenger, both aged in her 30s of the second car have been removed from the scene to Tallaght University Hospital and both remain in critical condition,” gardaí said in a statement.

It added: “A female rear seat passenger, aged in her 20s was taken to St. Luke’s General Hospital and is in a serious condition. The third passenger, a child has been removed to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin and is in a serious condition.”

It is understood the child suffered a broken leg.

Gardaí cordoned off the area throughout the day and launched a full investigation, appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

The force said: “Gardaí are appealing for any persons who may have witnessed this collision to come forward.

“Gardaí are appealing to road users who were travelling on the M9 northbound or southbound between 2:00am and 3:00am this morning Sunday 16th August, 2026 and who may have dashcam footage of the incident or surrounding area to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Athy Garda Station on 01 666 6000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”

Meanwhile, Fiosrú also issued a statement confirming it is conducting its own investigation.

A spokesman confirmed the matter had been referred to the organisation by gardaí.

It said: “The referral was made following a Fatal Road Traffic Collision on the M9.

“One of Fiosrú’s on call team of investigators attended the scene and its independent investigation is ongoing.

“In line with its statutory remit, Fiosrú’s investigation relates to incidents involving contact with gardaí where a member of the public has died or been seriously injured.

“A referral does not necessarily mean a garda or gardaí have been accused of wrongdoing. Instead, it means that Fiosrú should independently investigate the incident to ascertain whether or not the act or omission of a garda or gardaí may have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to, a person.

Advertisement

“As the matter is now under investigation, pursuant to section 208(1)(b) of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, Fiosrú cannot make any further comment.”

Heartfelt tributes have poured in for the victims throughout the day. Although gardaí had yet to formally release their names, details were circulating widely across social media.

The majority of those involved were from the Midlands, while one victim was originally from Limerick and had been residing in Dublin.

One tribute read: “A Mortal sin. The Nicest Boy you ever could have come across, so many memories we have together and I’ll make sure cherish every one. God help your poor mother and family get Best Bed In Heaven. You Will be truly missed.”

Another said: “Rest easy, bro. Always be in my heart and thoughts. Gonna miss u so much.”

Gardaí confirmed this evening that five teenagers had lost their lives in the collision.

The force said: “The bodies of 5 teenage males, all occupants of one vehicle, have now been removed from the scene and taken to Naas General Hospital where post mortems will take place.

“The occupants of the second vehicle, three women (two aged in their 30s, one in her 20s) and a male child all remain in hospital continuing to receive treatment for serious injuries.

“Forensic Collision Investigators have completed their examination of the scene. The road is expected to reopen shortly.

“Family Liaison Officers have been appointed to relatives of the occupants of both vehicles.”