Hayden Panettiere’s father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her death to ABC News on Sunday. “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” he said, describing her as “an incredible light and a force of nature” who brought love and joy to those around her. No cause of death or circumstances surrounding her passing have been disclosed.

Panettiere died just three months after releasing her candid memoir, *This Is Me: A Reckoning*. In the book, the former child star detailed her struggles with alcohol and opioid addiction, postpartum depression, domestic abuse and the pressures of growing up in Hollywood. She began working as a baby, appearing in commercials at 11 months old before landing roles on *One Life to Live* and *Guiding Light*.

She became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable young stars, appearing in films including *Remember the Titans*, *Ice Princess*, *Racing Stripes* and *Bring It On: All or Nothing*. Her breakthrough came as Claire Bennet on *Heroes*, while her portrayal of troubled country singer Juliette Barnes on *Nashville* earned her two Golden Globe nominations.

Behind her successful career, however, Panettiere faced years of addiction. She said her drinking worsened after moving to Tennessee for *Nashville* and intensified following the 2014 birth of her daughter, Kaya, amid postpartum depression. A neck injury also led to prescription opioid use, which developed into dependency. She entered rehab in 2015 and later described the severe physical effects of her substance abuse, including jaundice, a swollen face and serious liver problems.