Hayden Panettiere’s neighbor recalls ‘shocking’ moments after actress found dead in luxury apartment complex
Residents were stunned to learn that Hayden Panettiere had been tragically found dead at a luxury apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina.
In an exclusive interview with Page Six, a tenant of Judson Mill Lofts detailed the harrowing hours after the “Heroes” actress died in one of the complex’s units on Sunday.
“I was shocked, as I’m sure everyone in Greenville was, to find out she was here,” the neighbor said.
The resident noted that they had not seen Panettiere before the news of her death broke late Sunday night.
“I don’t know that she was there long, and I’m not sure she even ever left the apartment,” the neighbor said, adding, “I can only speak for myself, but you know, I never saw her [and] I haven’t spoken to anyone else that said they have.”
We’re told the property managers reached out to residents to keep them informed on the circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death.
“The apartment complex has sent out a couple messages saying it wasn’t anything criminal and that there’s no reason for anyone to be scared or anything like that,” the neighbor said.
“It’s still kind of jarring to hear that someone of her stature was here and then that tragically happened to her,” the neighbor added.
The neighbor shared that cops were on the scene from around noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
“The coroner vehicle showed up and of course, I knew then that there was a death,” the neighbor said. “Then woke up this morning to hear that it was Hayden, which is just still shocking.”
While the neighbor didn’t have much more information, the source did notice two men “sitting outside the apartment with cops.”
“They looked like they were in shock, not speaking, and had their heads down,” the neighbor said.
The tenant noted that they believed the apartment where she died was an Airbnb rental, which Page Six has confirmed.
Hayden’s father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed the actress died on Sunday. She was 36.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” Skip told Page Six in a statement. “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.”
He added, “We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”
Police responded to the incident after Hayden was found “unresponsive” and a friend called 911 at 1:51 p.m, TMZ reported.
She died after an apparent “overdose,” according to 911 audio obtained by Page Six.
Paramedics responded to a call about an “unidentified female” in “cardiac arrest” on Sunday, according to the recording. Responders attempted to resuscitate her with “advanced cardiac life support” and chest compressions, to no avail. She was pronounced dead at 2:23 p.m.
While her cause of death has not yet been confirmed, cops confirmed that there were “no signs of foul play.”
“Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene,” a Greenville police spokesperson told NBC News.
“The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office,” the spokesperson continued. “The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.”
A source told TMZ that Panettiere — who flew into South Carolina from Los Angeles just one day prior with her on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson — had recently been suffering from back pain.
Panettiere had battled with postpartum depression, substance abuse, trauma, and other challenges before her passing.