American actor Hayden Panettiere has died, aged 36.
Panettiere was best known for her roles as Claire Bennet on the TV series Heroes and Juliette Barnes in Nashville.
"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," her father Skip said today 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."
No cause of death was announced.
The star had previously opened up about her struggles with alcohol addiction and postpartum depression.
In a candid memoir released earlier this year, Panettiere wrote about the pressure of child stardom and her decision to give full custody of her daughter to her former partner, professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
Panettiere began her career as a child star in film and television. Her credits included the voice of Dot in Pixar's A Bug's Life; romantic comedy film I Love You, Beth Cooper; and slasher series Scream.
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