Hayden Panettiere dies at 36

Hayden Panettiere, the actress who rose to fame as a child before becoming one of television’s most recognizable young stars, has died at the age of 36.

Her representative confirmed the news to ABC News, while her father, Skip Panettiere, shared an emotional statement asking for privacy as the family begins to process the devastating loss.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” her father said. “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.”