Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36. The actress and singer was reportedly found unresponsive on Sunday, Aug 16; she was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene after paramedics attempted to revive her.

An official cause of death has not been announced, though dispatch audio obtained by TMZ and confirmed by People appears to include an unnamed official referring to an "overdose," and stating that CPR was in progress. Panettiere's representative released a statement saying, in part, "I don't have any more information at this time, but it's looking as though that is the case."

An autopsy is reportedly scheduled for today, Aug 17, as authorities continue their investigation.

While Panettiere was best known for her work as an actress, she had a notable connection to country music through ABC's Nashville. The series, which premiered in 2012, cast Panettiere as Juliette Barnes, a young country-pop singer whose career frequently intersected with Connie Britton's established star Rayna Jaymes.

Panettiere didn't simply portray a singer on Nashville – she performed the character's songs herself, showcasing a voice that helped make Juliette one of the show's central musical figures.

Among her most recognizable performances were “Telescope,” “Don’t Put Dirt on My Grave Just Yet,” and “Love Like Mine.” Panettiere even performed “Love Like Mine” at the Grand Ole Opry during the show's pilot episode, giving viewers an early glimpse of the musical prowess she brought to the role.

Her work on the series also translated into real-world chart success. “Telescope” reached No. 36 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, while her duet with Charles Esten, “Undermine,” peaked at No. 35. “Don’t Put Dirt on My Grave Just Yet” went even higher, reaching No. 34.

Panettiere also recorded a version of "White Christmas" for the Christmas with Nashville compilation, putting her own spin on the Bing Crosby classic.

Panettiere had also faced profound personal loss and well-documented struggles in recent years. Her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died in February 2023 at the age of 28. She had also been open about her battles with addiction and efforts toward sobriety, discussing the challenges she faced while working to rebuild her life and maintain her recovery.

For many fans, Panettiere will always be remembered for her work on television and film. But her time on Nashville revealed another side of her career, one where she wasn't merely playing a country singer, she was performing as one.