Hayden Panettiere’s family, friends and former co-stars came together in Malibu on Saturday ‘honour the life and legacy’ of the actress, who passed away on August 16 at the age of 38.
Celebs arrive at Hayden Panettiere’s memorial
To remember the actress, a private memorial service was held at Malibu Pacific Church. As per news reports on TMZ and Daily Mail, Hollywood actors, including ‘Nashville’ co-stars Connie Britton, Charles Esten and Jonathan Jackson, along with Beverly D’Angelo, Evan Ross, Cameron Richardson, Storm Santos, Caroline D’Amore and Ruby Rose were in attendance. Photos of the celebrities arriving for the service were posted online. One of the photos saw Jackson getting emotional as Sam Palladio comforted him. Ruby, who had previously described Panettiere as her “best friend”, was also seen arriving at the memorial.
About the memorial service
According to TMZ, around 150 people attended the service, which sources described as “emotional and beautiful”. As per the Daily Mail, the gathering began at around 5 pm outside the church, with the service beginning at around 5:30 pm, with the release of doves as a symbolic gesture.The group was then seen moving inside the church for a moving ceremony, where a large photograph of Hayden was displayed alongside the words: ‘Honouring the life & legacy Hayden Panettiere 8.12.89 – 8.16.26.’
Connie Britton, Charles Esten pay tribute
During the memorial, Britton and Esten, reportedly gave speeches about the actress and Esten even sang one of the late star’s songs from their show, ‘Nashville’.Panettiere’s father, Skip Panettiere, was also present at the service and was photographed wearing a suit with Hawaiian-style lei flowers around his neck. A source close to Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, disputed reports that she had ‘not been invited’ to the memorial, telling TMZ that she was unable to attend because of a family emergency.
Hayden Panettiere’s death case
Panettiere was found unresponsive at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina. According to TMZ, her boyfriend Brian Hickerson was asleep in a bedroom when his brother Zach arrived and discovered Panettiere unresponsive and called emergency services. First responders were unable to revive her and she was declared dead.Narcan was reportedly found at the rental property, and Brian reportedly admitted to administering the medication after Panettiere was discovered unconscious. The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.A month after her tragic demise, TMZ, citing law-enforcement sources, revealed that authorities believe that the actress may have died after taking an illicitly obtained oxycodone pill that was allegedly contaminated with fentanyl. Those claims have not been confirmed.
Police hunt for Los Angeles drug dealer
According to the report, investigators have also been looking into the source of pills allegedly supplied to Panettiere, with cops on the lookout for a Los Angeles-based drug dealer. The DEA reportedly searched Panettiere’s Los Angeles home nine days after her death as part of the investigation, with sources telling TMZ that text messages between the actress and the alleged supplier are among the evidence being examined.Panettiere, who was 36, was best known for roles in ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville’, which earned her two Golden Globe nominations and made her one of the show’s most recognisable stars.
