Connie Britton appreciated Nashville Costar Hayden Panettiere after her death.
“That was Hayden. Full of brilliance, shining so bright,” Britton, 59, wrote via Instagram on Monday, August 17, along with a series of photos of the couple. “I don’t have the words for this sad song. Just heartbreak. I love you girl. Sleep easy now. đź’”.”
Britton starred alongside Panettiere in the hit 2010s series, where the pair played country singer Rayna Jaymes and rising star Juliette Barnes, respectively. The show ran for four seasons on ABC before CMT picked it up for two more years. Britton was eliminated in season 5.
Panettiere spoke about her dynamic with Britton in her memoir. This is me: a reckoningjust a few months before her death.
“My character wasn’t supposed to be the star of the show — not even close,” Panettiere wrote in the book, published in May. “This honor went to Connie, whose Rayna Jaymes was at the end of her career and facing a dramatic turning point, thanks to your support.”
She continued: “Unfortunately, after the pilot, it was clear that my bill had increased significantly. I went from maybe number five in importance to being on Connie’s heels. This development made me deeply uncomfortable.”
“I was 23 years old and Connie was in her 40s and had three Emmy nominations under her belt,” Panettiere explained. “This should have been her time to shine.”
Three months later, on Sunday August 16, news broke that Panettiere had died at the age of 36.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the tragic death of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and force of nature who gave immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who saw her on screen,” said Hayden’s father. Skip panettieresaid in a statement Us. “We ask for privacy as our family needs time to process this unimaginable loss.”
Hollywood is mourning the tragic loss of Hayden Panettiere at the age of 36. The Heroes and Nashville alum’s rep confirmed to Us on Sunday, August 16, that the actress had died. Details of Panettiere’s death were not immediately known. “It is with deep sadness that we share the tragic death of our beloved Hayden,” said Panettiere’s father (…)
Hayden’s cause of death has not been publicly announced. A day after her father’s testimony, authorities in South Carolina confirmed they had responded to reports of an “unresponsive female” at a Greenville residence. The person was later identified as Hayden.
According to TMZ, first responders attempted to revive Hayden using “advanced cardiac life support,” including CPR, specialized medications, breathing tubes and heart rhythm monitoring. Hayden was pronounced dead after paramedics were unable to revive her.
In audio recordings obtained by , authorities could be heard discussing an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest.” People around the time of Hayden’s death. Police have confirmed an investigation is underway.
“The case is currently being investigated by the Greenville Police Department in collaboration with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office,” authorities said in a statement. “The preliminary investigation has revealed no evidence of a crime or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere made the emergency call.”
