Actor Connie Britton hopes that her “Nashville” co-star, Hayden Panettiere, is finally at peace.

Panettiere, who was best known for her roles in “Heroes,” “Nashville” and “Remember the Titans,” died Sunday at the age of 36, her representative and father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed. She died just days before her 37th birthday on August 21.

Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene in a Greenville, S.C., apartment, local authorities said on Monday. The official cause and manner of her death are under investigation, the coroner’s office reported.

Britton, who co-starred with Panettiere on the ABC musical soap opera from 2012 to 2018, reacted to the news in an Instagram post Monday.

“This was Hayden,” Britton wrote alongside a carousel post featuring photos of the two working together. “Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright. I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak. I love you girl. Sleep easy now. 💔”

Britton worked with Panettiere during a very rough period in the late actor’s life. Panettiere, who has had issues with opioid and alcohol addiction since her teen years, welcomed her daughter Kaya in 2014. However, after giving birth, Panettiere said she experienced postpartum depression and turned to alcohol. In 2018, she relinquished custody of Kaya to the girl’s father, former Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko.

Panettiere took a hiatus from acting after “Nashville,” but began working again with a role in 2023′s “Scream VI.”

In 2024, Panettiere fans expressed concern for her well-being after People magazine published a teaser clip on its Instagram account for an upcoming interview in which she appeared intoxicated. The fans noted that her “speech was slurred” and her eyes “could barely stay open.” Panettiere responded to the speculation by saying she was suffering from a lack of sleep and was “exhausted” by the time she sat down for the on-camera interview with People.

Despite all of the chatter about Panettiere’s mental state, Britton always spoke kindly of her publicly. In 2024, ahead of the release of Panettiere’s film “Amber Alert,” Britton said that she applauded “how [Panettiere] has gone through a really difficult time and done a lot of work and has come out on the other side.”

“I’m so happy that she is in that place, and I hope she’s in a great place,” Britton said.

Although Britton noted that they hadn’t spoken in a while, she was pleased to see that Panettiere was working again.

“And so I only wish her just peace in her heart, and I can’t wait to see the movie,” Britton said.

Need help with substance use disorder or mental health issues? In the U.S., call 800-662-HELP (4357) for the SAMHSA National Helpline.

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