Parton had been struggling with her health in recent times, but her death will come as a surprise to fans.

In an Instagram video, her nephew Brian Seaver confirmed the news, stating: “My name is Brin Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,

“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.

"As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”

The statement continues: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness.

"But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens."

In an update on Friday just days before her deaeth, Parton had said: “As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl.

"You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this.

"Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health."

“But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago. I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI! Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’!

"You know me - as I’ve often said - I’ve dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.”

Parton is the best selling female country musician of all time, and one of the most-loved and popular artists of any genre.

Parton had been struggling with her health in recent times, but her death will come as a surprise to fans.

In an Instagram video, her nephew Brian Seaver confirmed the news, stating: “My name is Brin Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,

“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.

"As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”

The statement continues: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness.

"But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens."

In an update on Friday just days before her deaeth, Parton had said: “As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl.

"You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this.

"Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health."

“But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago. I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI! Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’!

"You know me - as I’ve often said - I’ve dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.”

Parton is the best selling female country musician of all time, and one of the most-loved and popular artists of any genre.

The Rhode founder, 29, took to Instagram on Sunday (August 23) to mark her son's second birthday by posting a gallery of adorable pictures and videos.

"Our sweet baby is 2, happy birthday Jack Blues," she captioned the post alongside blue heart emojis.

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber celebrated their son's second birthday. Credit: Gilbert Flores/Getty

The carousel offered a rare glimpse into family life, as the parents have consistently kept their son's face off camera to protect his privacy.

Among the birthday pictures was a snap of Jack playing hockey, but it was a video showing him hitting a golf ball that really caught people's attention.

Despite being just two years old, Jack's swing had fans joking that he could already have a future in professional golf.

"That golf swing is very impressive," actor Patrick Schwarzenegger gushed.

A fan chimed in: "We have a pro golfer on our hands. Wow, I’m impressed," while a second commented: "He’s already golfing at 2??? Meanwhile I’m still trying to figure out how to hold a club."

"So we’ll be seeing him in a future PGA championship, got it," a third person joked.

"Like, how do u teach a 2-year-old kid to swing that golf stick with pro and also the way he moves those feet like a golf player omg jack blues you are born to be talented like ur father," one more added.

Hailey previously revealed Jack's love of sports

Hailey and the 32-year-old musician welcomed Jack in August 2024.

At the time, the 'Baby' singer shared a photo of their little one’s foot on Instagram, writing alongside the snap: "WELCOME HOME."

Since then, the model - who tied the knot with Justin in 2018 - has posted snapshots of their lives as parents and opened up about Jack's developing personality and interests.

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber got married in 2018. Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty

During an appearance on Jake Shane’s Therapuss podcast in February, the businesswoman revealed that her son had already developed a fascination with basketball.

"He talks a lot about basketball. He says basketball all the time. I went to get him up from his nap today, and he was like, 'Basketball?'... He also just started saying please. He knew how to sign please for a long time. ... Now he goes, 'Peas.’'It’s so cute," she said.

She explained that watching her son's personality and interests form has been one of the most best parts of parenthood.

"It’s just the coolest thing to watch a little person become their own little person. I’m watching him get his personality; I’m seeing what he’s into," she said. "He’s running. He’s kicking a soccer ball. He’s throwing the soccer ball... [he’s] into all of it."

Hailey Bieber shared rare family photos to celebrate son Jack’s second birthday. Credit: Hailey Bieber/Instagram

The beauty mogul also opened up about becoming a first-time parent, sharing: "I always knew I wanted kids. I always wanted to be a mom.

"Then when it happens, you never know what to expect, and you don’t know what it's gonna be like. It honestly is so much fun."

"It’s a whole bunch of you just don’t know what’s gonna happen until you get there," she continued. "Something that surprised me, though, is I feel like I’m a lot more relaxed as a mom than I thought I would be. I think especially as a first-time mom, I realized that you just figure it out as you go."

"Every single day, you just figure out how to be a parent," she added.

Featured image credit: Hailey Bieber / Instagram

Panettiere, known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, was pronounced dead on August 16 after being found unresponsive at a South Carolina Airbnb, where she had been staying with her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson.

Her cause and manner of death have yet to be announced, and her death remains under investigation.

Hayden Panettiere tragically passed away on Sunday (August 16). Credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Following the actress's death, renewed attention has turned to revelations she shared about her experiences as a young woman in Hollywood.

Panettiere claimed a trusted woman physically placed her in a bed beside a famous, undressed man, but she never publicly identified the celebrity.

Now, a 2009 photo taken in France showing Panettiere and Blunt sitting around a table aboard a yacht with at least three other people has prompted some online users to speculate that the 'You're Beautiful' singer was the unnamed man.

There is no evidence linking Blunt to the alleged encounter, and the timeline presents a major problem with the theory.

Panettiere was approaching her 20th birthday when the photo was taken, while she said the incident occurred when she was 18.

Panettiere described terrifying yacht encounter

The late actress detailed the unnamed encounter in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, and discussed the experience during a May 2026 appearance on Jay Shetty's podcast.

"The fact that I was 18, even though I’d lived such a huge life and I thought I was oh so mature at 18 … scientifically, your frontal lobes don’t develop until we’re what, 25, 26?" she said. "So even though I felt like I could make healthy decisions, safe decisions, I wasn’t capable of being fully aware of what was going on around me."

The Heroeos star said her perspective changed completely once she realized she was "in danger".

She described what happened as "shocking," saying there had been nothing earlier that evening to suggest what was coming.

"There was no hints of anything like that happening," she recalled. "So it took me by surprise."

"She physically put me in the bed next to this undressed man who was very famous," Panettiere continued. "My hair stood on end and I became ferocious. I was like, 'This is not happening.'"

"I bolted and hid wherever I could think of to hide on a boat. There was no jumping off and swimming away," she said. "When you really find somebody that you trust, you hold on to them for dear life. So to be betrayed like that is just an awful feeling."

James Blunt and Hayden Panettiere met in 2009. Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR

James Blunt responds to the speculation

Another image from the 2009 Cannes Film Festival shows Panettiere alongside Blunt, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Diana Jenkins, and actor Justin Long at an event.

The appearance of Jenkins and Blunt in the photos led some users to speculate that they were the people Panettiere had described. However, she never identified either of them in her account.

Former entertainment journalist Dean Piper has rejected those claims, pointing to the difference between Panettiere's age at the time of the Cannes trip and the age she said she was when recounting the incident.

Piper also said he witnessed Panettiere and Blunt flirting at a charity event in Cannes the day before the yacht photo was taken.

He argued that it would not make sense for the pair to socialize together twice during the trip if Blunt had been the unnamed man from the earlier encounter.

Blunt shared Piper's article on X alongside an "👀" emoji.

Featured image credit: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty

Tom, who is married to Hilton's sister Barbara Lavandeira, stated that the media personality is currently receiving care for physical injuries alongside mental health treatment. The update clarifies that his recovery process involves addressing both areas simultaneously while in the hospital.

During an appearance on The Perez Hilton Podcast with Chris Booker, Tom detailed the physical aspect of the blogger's hospital stay. He explained that Hilton suffered broken bones from falling over during the August 4 incident.

Physical care and mental health transition

On the podcast, Tom shared that Hilton was being treated for "the cutting [and] a couple of falls that happened during this process." He further explained the current focus of his care: "So, we are now just transitioning into the mental side of things."

He noted that medical professionals are monitoring Hilton closely during his stay: "Although, of course, while he’s in the hospital, while he’s being treated for his physical ailments, psychiatrists come in and check in and see how he’s doing and make sure he’s not looking to harm himself."

Investigating the cause

Questions remain regarding what triggered the event. "The actual healing, or digging into what caused this mental break as I’ve called it, hasn’t been discovered. I don’t know if it will ever be," Tom stated on the podcast.

Perez Hilton was hospitalized after self-harming on a livestream. Credit: Denise Truscello/Getty Images for BOA Steakhouse Las Vegas

There has been speculation that Hilton experienced sepsis psychosis during the incident. The 48-year-old was previously hospitalized for 21 days in March after developing severe sepsis that required emergency surgery. However, medical professionals have not confirmed that sepsis psychosis caused the crisis.

Speaking on Hilton's memory of the event, Tom added: "I don’t know how much he does or doesn’t recall." He noted that the family plans to address those details later, stating, "We will get into that more once he’s in that setting, where we’re focusing on his mental health."

Family reaction and custody arrangements

It was Tom's wife, Barbara, who located her brother at his home after a concerning TikTok livestream. She described the event as "one of the darkest days my family and I have ever experienced."

Barbara found Hilton in his room with the door locked, which she noted was unusual for him. After unlocking the door, she found him "naked, cut up, covered in blood." Reflecting on the scene, she said, "What I can say with certainty is that I didn't recognize my brother when I looked at him. I saw it in his eyes. They didn't look the same."

While Hilton continues his recovery, his three children (Mario, 13, Mia, 11, and Mayte, 8) are under the care of his mother, who received temporary custody. Hilton has been granted visitation rights, provided he secures psychiatric clearance and the visits are supervised by a therapist or an agreed-upon family member.

Featured image credit: Denise Truscello/Getty Images for BOA Steakhouse Las Vegas

Many online drew conclusions from old snaps of Panettiere with Blunt, assuming that the latter was the man who lay with her in bed that day.

But he has since denied these claims, taking to social media to shut down the rumors linking him to the incident.

Panettiere had also previously opened up about an Oscar winner exposing himself to her when she was just 19, in another confession about being a young woman in Hollywood.

The actress revealed all about her early career and her harrowing experiences just earlier this year, following the release of her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning.

James Blunt and Hayden Panettiere met in 2009. Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR

What did Hayden Panettiere claim about being put in bed?

Panettiere, whose death was reported on August 16 after being found in a South Carolina apartment, wrote about the incident and also spoke on Jay Shetty's podcast about what happened.

Speaking during a May 2026 episode of the podcast, the actress spoke about her memoir and explained: “The fact that I was 18, even though I’d lived such a huge life and I thought I was oh so mature at 18 … scientifically, your frontal lobes don’t develop until we’re what, 25, 26?

“So even though I felt like I could make healthy decisions, safe decisions, I wasn’t capable of being fully aware of what was going on around me.”

But when she realized she was "in danger," her "perspective completely shifted."

Panettiere described the experience as “shocking,” explaining that nothing earlier in the evening had made her suspect something was wrong.

“There was no hints of anything like that happening,” she recalled. “So it took me by surprise.”

Panettiere added: “She physically put me in the bed next to this undressed man who was very famous.

“My hair stood on end and I became ferocious. I was like, ‘This is not happening.’

“I bolted and hid wherever I could think of to hide on a boat. There was no jumping off and swimming away,” she said.

“When you really find somebody that you trust, you hold on to them for dear life. So to be betrayed like that is just an awful feeling.”

Hayden Panettiere has sadly passed away at the age of just 36, with many stars rushing to pay tribute to her and her family following the announcement. Credit: XNY/Star Max/GC Images/Getty

James Blunt responds to claims it was him

Social media users uncovered two photographs after Panettiere's death - one featured Panettiere with Blunt, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Diana Jenkins, and actor Justin Long at an event.

Another showed Blunt and Panettiere on a yacht together, leading many to think that Jenkins was the 'trusted woman' mentioned, with Blunt being the 'very famous undressed man'.

However, both snaps were taken at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009, when Panettiere was 20 and not 18.

In response, Blunt shared an article on X by former entertainment journalist Dean Piper, which laid out the issues with the timeline suggested by online sleuths.

It argued that the dates meant it was impossible for these photos to be linked with an incident the actress said happened when she was 18.

The '1973' singer captioned his post with the eyes emoji, before deleting and then reposting it.

Featured image credit: XNY/Star Max/GC Images/Getty

Wedding dresses can cost thousands and are often worn just once, so some choose to organize a separate photoshoot where they can wear their outfits again without the pressure of their wedding day.

Popular idea turns into a fatality

Maria Pantazopoulos tragically died after wearing her wedding dress in water. Credit: Maria Pantazopolous/Facebook

One increasingly popular idea is known as 'trashing the dress', where brides deliberately pose in messy or unusual surroundings, including mud, paint and, in some cases, bodies of water.

But the trend can carry potentially serious risks, as tragically demonstrated by the death of Canadian bride Maria Pantazopoulos.

The 30-year-old had travelled around 75km from her home in Montreal to a wooded location with photographer Louis Pagakis, hoping to capture photographs of herself wearing her wedding dress in a river.

The shoot quickly turned into a tragedy when the water caused the heavy dress to drag Pantazopoulos beneath the surface.

The current was too powerful for her to escape, while Pagakis was unable to rescue her.

The photographer later recalled her heartbreaking final words: “I can't anymore. It's too heavy.”

Pagakis previously described the horrifying moments to CTV Montreal, explaining that Pantazopoulos had asked him to photograph her in the water.

“She had her wedding dress on and she said, ‘take some pictures of me while I swim a little bit in the lake,’ she went in and her dress got heavy, I tried everything I could to save her,” he said.

“I jumped in, I was screaming and yelling, we tried our best.”

Photographer warns against the trend

Expert photographer Rhiannon D'Averc has previously written about the risks involved in taking photographs in rivers and other moving water.

She warned that people can become increasingly exhausted when trying to fight against a current.

“As you are pulled along, you will get weaker through trying to fight the current,” D'Averc wrote in a blog post.

She added: “And there are documented cases of people finally becoming so weak that they drowned or lost consciousness.”

Strong currents can also send people crashing into rocks, branches and submerged tree roots, potentially causing serious injuries including broken bones, cuts and bruises.

Being thrown against an underwater object can also result in a potentially fatal head injury.

Some bodies of water can contain wildlife that may pose another danger. Even if someone avoids obviously hazardous locations, there is no guarantee that they won't encounter an animal beneath the surface.

D'Averc warned: “Big fish could even knock you over. Leading to trouble like being swept away or held underwater by the weight of the current.”

There can also be additional concerns for anyone planning a water-based photoshoot in the UK, where polluted or contaminated waterways can potentially expose people to water-borne illnesses.

While 'trash the dress' shoots can create dramatic and memorable photographs, the tragic death of Pantazopoulos serves as a stark reminder that entering moving water in a heavy wedding dress can be extremely dangerous.

For anyone planning to recreate the trend, the safest option may simply be to keep the wedding dress, and themselves, completely out of the water.

Featured Image Credit: Maria Pantazopoulos/Facebook

Kutcher, now 48, was 25 when the footage was recorded in 2003. At the time, he was already a familiar face thanks to That '70s Show and his MTV prank series Punk'd, which had launched earlier that year.

What were Kutcher's controversial comments?

Old comments from Ashton Kutcher about a then 15-year-old Hilary Duff have resurfaced, leaving people shocked. Credit: Marilla Sicilia/Archivio Marilla Sicilia/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

One of the show's early episodes featured then-15-year-old Hilary Duff, who was already famous for playing the lead role in Lizzie McGuire.

The episode began with Duff apparently taking a routine driving lesson. However, things quickly spiraled when her instructor got out at a stop sign and confronted another motorist, hitting the vehicle with a baseball bat and throwing a smoothie at the driver.

The situation escalated when the other motorist followed them and the two men became involved in a physical confrontation. An accomplice then jumped into Duff's learner car and drove away with it.

Duff was left distraught when her instructor blamed her for what had happened, even telling her that she would have to pay for a replacement vehicle because she “works in the movies.”

She was eventually relieved when Kutcher appeared and revealed that the entire ordeal had been staged for Punk'd, a TV show.

However, it was Kutcher's introduction to the segment that has now prompted the strongest reaction.

Speaking directly to the camera, he said: “Hilary Duff is in Lizzie McGuire. She also has an album out, she's going to be in a movie called Cheaper by the Dozen, and she's one of the girls that we're all waiting for to turn 18. Along with the Olsen twins.”

Duff was just 15 at the time, while Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen had recently turned 17.

Kutcher and Duff had also worked together on Cheaper by the Dozen, although the film had not yet been released when the Punk'd episode was filmed.

The resurfaced comments receive backlash on social media

The resurfaced footage has triggered a wave of criticism online, with one X user highlighting the age difference and writing:

“25-year-old Ashton Kutcher talking about 15-year-old Hilary Duff in 2003: ‘She's one of the girls that we're all waiting for to turn 18.’”

Another commenter argued that the incident reflected a much wider problem with celebrity culture at the time.

“It is really wild that people had free reign to be public nonces until 2015 without any reprieve,” they wrote, pointing to the way teenage celebrities were discussed in some music, television and media coverage.

Featured Image Credit: Marilla Sicilia/Archivio Marilla Sicilia/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

The 52-year-old singer posted on X, sharing an article that debunks the rumor, deleted it, and then reposted it shortly afterwards.

The allegation was first made by Panettiere in a podcast interview three months before her death.

It has resurfaced in the days since she died at 36 as online users have attempted to identify the man and the woman she described.

What Panettiere actually said

In May, Panettiere appeared on Jay Shetty's On Purpose podcast and told the story for the first time in detail.

She described being led to a small room on a yacht at 18 by a woman she trusted.

"It was led by somebody that I had grown to trust and see as a protector and somebody who had my back," she said.

"She physically put me in the bed next to this undressed man who was very famous."

She said the man treated the situation as though nothing was unusual.

"That lion in me, that fire in me - my hair stood on end and I became ferocious. I was like, this is not happening."

She ran and hid on another part of the boat for the rest of the evening because she could not get off the yacht.

"There was nobody who was going to be empathetic to my situation.

"I realised that this was nothing new to them."

James Blunt and Hayden Panettiere met in 2009. Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR

Why Blunt was named online

After Panettiere's death on August 16, online sleuths began circulating two photographs.

One showed Panettiere with Blunt, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Diana Jenkins, and actor Justin Long at an event.

The other showed Panettiere and Blunt on a yacht together.

Users argued that Jenkins was the 'trusted woman' and Blunt was the 'very famous undressed man'.

There is a problem with that theory.

Both photographs were taken at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009. Panettiere was 20 at the time, not 18.

What Blunt did

Blunt shared an article on X by former entertainment journalist Dean Piper.

The piece laid out the timeline discrepancies and argued that the dates made it impossible for the 2009 photos to be connected to an incident Panettiere described happening when she was 18.

Blunt captioned the post with an eyes emoji. He deleted it, then reposted it.

He did not issue a formal written statement, but the act of sharing the article was as good as a denial.

Hayden Panettiere. Credit: Raymond Hall/GC Images

What Jenkins said

Jenkins, who was widely identified online as the woman who led Panettiere under the yacht, has also denied any involvement.

Her representative told TMZ in May: "Diana has had to deal with false online rumors before, and sadly this is just another example of that.

"So let me be 100% clear about this: it most certainly is not Diana, and anyone who claims it is her will be sued."

Jenkins and Panettiere reportedly met when Panettiere was 19, a year after the alleged incident took place.

Panettiere described having a 'weird friendship' with Jenkins due to their 30-year age gap, but did not name her as the woman in the story.

Who Panettiere did not name

She never publicly identified either the man or the woman.

Not in the podcast or in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, published earlier this year - not in any interview.

The online speculation has been driven entirely by photographs and timelines pieced together by people who did not know her.

Both people publicly identified so far have denied involvement, and the dates of the evidence used to connect them do not match what Panettiere described.

She was 18 when it happened, and she was 36 when she died - the identity of the mystery man and woman may never be confirmed.

Read more of VT's coverage: Police reveal new details | 911 call audio | Health issues before death | Custody decision

Featured image credit: Pascal Le Segretain/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR

Leslie Caoili went to see a doctor in May for what was supposed to be a standard evaluation. Instead, they found a Stanford Type A aortic dissection, a catastrophic tear in the inner layer of the main artery coming from her heart.

Her husband Lee told ABC she had been hours from dying and neither of them had any idea.

"Most people who suffer an aortic dissection usually happens pretty quickly, and they don't survive," he said.

"So the surgery was necessary in order to save her life.

"She probably had maybe hours left to live, and we wouldn't even, we didn't even know it."

Leslie Caoili was formerly a strength athlete before her health problems began. Credit: GoFundMe

What happened after the surgery

The operation to save her life involved cardiopulmonary bypass and extensive reconstruction of her aorta.

It worked, and she survived.

Then it got worse.

In the weeks that followed, Leslie lost blood circulation to her hands and feet.

Her husband described watching it happen in real time.

"We didn't really know how her body was gonna respond to the initial surgery, but she ended up losing blood flow to her hands and her feet, and by the end of the first month there, her hands and her feet were blackened and shriveled."

There was no improvement, which meant that the doctors had no choice but to amputate her hands at the mid-forearm and remove both of her legs.

A woman who had been competing as a strength athlete months earlier was now a quadruple amputee.

How Leslie responded

She has been in hospital for three months. She is about to be discharged.

Her family said her response to losing all four limbs surprised everyone around her.

Rather than breaking down, she asked doctors to be straight with her about what had happened and what her future would look like.

The family's GoFundMe page describes her as 'more than a patient in a hospital bed'.

"She is a loving wife, devoted mother, daughter, sister, and friend who has touched so many people with her kindness, strength, and love.

"She has always been the person others could depend on, and now we are asking for help on her behalf during the most difficult time our family has ever faced."

The home renovation

Leslie and Lee have two daughters and a dog.

They were already in the middle of renovating their house in Spring Valley when the medical emergency happened.

Those plans have now been completely redrawn around Leslie's needs.

Lee is asking for skilled volunteers to help overhaul the property before she comes home. He needs electricians, HVAC technicians, roofers, flooring installers, carpenters, and painters.

"She just wants to come home to her family and her kids and her dog and me and wants to get back to living life as normal as we can make it for her," he said.

"Every day has been a battle for her. Every day has been a fight."

Now, the mom of two is a quadruple amputee. Credit: GoFundMe

What is a Type A aortic dissection?

A Stanford Type A aortic dissection is a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, the largest artery in the body, which carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart.

When the tear occurs in the upper section of the aorta near the heart, it is classified as Type A and is considered a medical emergency.

Without surgery, the condition is frequently fatal within hours.

Even with surgery, complications including organ damage and loss of circulation to the limbs are recognised risks, though losing all four limbs is rare.

The condition can occur suddenly and without warning, even in otherwise healthy and physically active individuals. In Leslie's case, it was found by chance during what her family thought was a routine appointment.

The GoFundMe has raised over $93,000 of a $140,000 target as of today.

The funds will go towards medical expenses, ICU-related travel and lodging, household expenses during her recovery, and long-term rehabilitation.

You can donate to it here.

Featured image credit: GoFundMe

Lesley Vogel, who had a complicated relationship with Panettiere and was estranged from her daughter before she died aged 36, said she visited the actress in Los Angeles last year while she was struggling with her health and experiencing physical pain.

Panettiere's mom makes shocking admission about boyfriend

Hayden Panettiere and ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson had a tumultuous relationship. Credit: MEGA/GC Images/Getty

Speaking to the New York Times, Vogel claimed she was shocked to discover that Hickerson, who filed for bankruptcy in 2022, had allegedly pawned some of Panettiere’s belongings.

Among the items was reportedly a vintage guitar.

Vogel also claimed that Panettiere herself was stunned to learn that Hickerson had kept some of her possessions in a storage unit.

A separate source reportedly backed up the allegation that Hickerson had pawned some of the actress’ belongings.

Page Six contacted Hickerson’s attorney, Sloan Ellis, for comment, but his team declined to address the latest claims beyond an already released statement.

Ellis previously said: “Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed.”

He added: “As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play.”

The statement continued: “Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”

Vogel has previously made a number of allegations concerning Hickerson, including questioning his account of what happened on the day Panettiere died at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina.

The actress' death has reportedly been treated as an apparent overdose, although the circumstances remain under investigation.

Hickerson himself has not publicly commented on Panettiere’s death beyond the statement issued through his lawyer.

His brother, Zach Hickerson, who was also reportedly at the property when Panettiere died, has claimed that Brian attempted to save her after discovering her unconscious.

According to Zach, Brian administered Narcan - a medication commonly used to reverse an opioid overdose - and performed CPR.

Narcan was reportedly discovered at the scene.

“There are a lot of assumptions, speculations and accusations currently swirling,” Zach said.

Panettiere and Hickerson's tumultuous relationship

Panettiere and Hickerson began dating in 2018 and had an on-off relationship that was frequently surrounded by controversy.

Hickerson was arrested several times over allegations of domestic violence involving the actress, while Panettiere later detailed abuse she said she experienced in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning.

Now, a former neighbour has also come forward with claims about Panettiere’s condition during her relationship with Hickerson.

Mia Terrazas, who still lives in the same West Hollywood apartment complex, claimed she saw Panettiere being taken from her apartment on a gurney by firefighters on two occasions.

She said the incidents happened on July 29, 2023, and January 16, 2024, and alleged that she noticed “bright red spots” and “bruises” on Panettiere.

Terrazas also claimed Hickerson was present during both incidents and appeared “glued to” Panettiere.

“It appeared that she had been beaten up. It wasn’t apparent to me that it could have been anything else,” Terrazas said.

She added that Panettiere allegedly often appeared “battered.”

The latest claims have emerged as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death.

Featured Image Credit: MEGA/GC Images/Getty

The Odyssey and Jason Bourne star Matt Damon went viral overnight for unknowingly being in the background of a family's wholesome video.

Guest Loryn Powell was filming the moment when her young daughter met Goofy during their trip to the theme park, when she noticed someone in the background.

Damon could be seen standing in the background in a baseball cap, pants, and a shirt, a low-key outfit as he remained low-profile while appreciating the cute family moment.

The 55-year-old could be seen smiling, appreciating the interaction as a father of four himself.

Little did he know that the video would be reposted and shared to millions across social media in the hours afterward.

Matt Damon's reaction to this family's wholesome moment has gone viral. Credit: Instagram/@lorynpowell

What happened in the video?

The young girl can be seen reaching her arm out to the iconic Disney character, who is donning a chef costume.

They can be seen sharing a hug, as her dad is seen crouching down and speaking to her.

The text on screen read: “POV you’re watching your husband and daughter meet Goofy for the first time but don’t realize Matt Damon is also watching your husband and daughter meet Goofy for the first time.”

Powell further joked about the interaction in the caption: “When your daughter is more starstruck by Goofy than Matt Damon,” with a laughing emoji.

Family speaks out after going viral

Speaking to The California Post about the video, Powell said: “As you can tell we love dressing up for a good theme so taking our 2.5 year old daughter to Disneyland for her first time was magical,

“Even if Matt Damon hadn’t been there.”

It's believed that Damon was at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, around the same time, to celebrate his daughter Gia's 18th birthday.

The family took some wholesome snaps at the theme park while wearing black shirts that read, “Birthday Crew,” on August 20.

It is unknown if the video was taken on the same day as the Damon family's visit.

The celebrity had no idea he was being filmed by Powell. Credit: Instagram/@lorynpowell

Matt Damon broke his 'non-negotiable' family rule

Back in 2012, the Academy-winning star explained to The Guardian that the family had a "two-week rule," meaning they "can't be apart as a family for longer" than that period.

However, he broke this rule while shooting Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey.

He also recently spoke about it being a 'non-negotiable,' admitting that their biggest challenge is putting their phones away.

But Damon has recently revealed that filming Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey forced his hand.

The 55-year-old admitted his wife and children agreed to make a rare exception while he filmed the epic action fantasy film, despite the project keeping him away from home for far longer than they normally allow.

"It just took more, and it took more out of our family, and they had to, you know, we've always had a two-week rule. This was the first time that we ever had to violate it," Damon said during an interview on TODAY on July 14.

"There was like stretches of like three and a half weeks, and we were just away from each other," he said, describing the production as a 'big sacrifice' for his family.

"It was hard on us, and I'm so proud of the movie, but I'm so proud of them for really encouraging me," he continued.

"I feel like my whole professional life built up to this experience, and they really were really on board with me doing it, and I love them for that."

Featured image credit: Instagram/@lorynpowell

The pair revealed the pregnancy on social media on Tuesday, sharing a professionally produced video featuring footage of their first child, a sonogram, and moments of the couple celebrating the pregnancy together.

The couple announce their second baby

Two adult content creators who are step siblings in real life, made headlines when they got married and had a child, and now they have announced that they are expecting their second baby. Credit: Scarlet Vas/Instagram

Scarlet and Tayo already have a daughter, who was born in December 2024.

The couple married in September 2023 and have yet to reveal whether their second baby will be a boy or girl.

The pregnancy announcement quickly attracted attention online because of the unusual circumstances surrounding their relationship.

According to Scarlet, the pair first met when they were both 13. They later became step-siblings after their respective parents began a relationship and got married.

The couple has over eight million followers on Instagram combined, amassing their fortune via their popular presence on OnlyFans, becoming major names in the porn industry in the process.

The ex-Australian TV star, who reportedly rakes in a staggering $200,000 a month making adult content with her stepbrother, initially started life out in the soap opera Neighbours, before making the switch to creating riskier, yet more lucrative adult content.

Despite the criticism and controversy they continue to receive, Scarlet has previously insisted that negative comments do not affect the couple and their plans to build a family together.

Scarlet and Tayo are now preparing to become a family of four, with their second child very much on the way.

Social media responds

While the comments were mostly filled with well-wishers, as fans rushed to congratulate the couple and their family, there were some exceptions to the rule, with one use commenting: “He married his sister…”

Another added: “Thought it was all a skit, they still do it in real life too ?”

A third commented: “Wait what did you just say … That is her step bro”

While another said, “That family connection is definitely raising eyebrows”

Despite the noise surrounding their relationship and their growing family, the OnlyFans model explained how they remain unfazed by those who question their relationship, saying the haters don't bother them because they 'have each other.'

Featured Image Credit: Scarlet Vas/Instagram

The IndyCar series event was being hosted in Washington, D.C., as part of the country’s ongoing celebrations of 250 years of Independence.

What did the video of the US' most powerful couple show?

Donald and Melania Trump have sparked speculation around their marriage after they appeared to argue at the Freedom 250 event on Sunday, with Natalie Harp also in attendance. Credit: SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

Despite the cause for celebration, it appears neither Trump nor the First Lady were in a particularly jubilant mood, with relations between the pair appearing strained after a video of them went viral.

The video, which has since amassed millions of views online, shows Melania and Trump locked in an intense conversation, with neither looking particularly pleased.

Following the apparent heated discussion between the US leader and his wife, Melania then walks off, leaving Trump sitting, talking to another official.

Several commenters have highlighted that Melania leaves soon after Natalie Harp, the White House Appointments Secretary, arrives.

Increased speculation around Trump’s relationship with Harp has drawn scrutiny, with his closest aide nearly always on hand, especially in Trump's convoy while traveling, as well as at significant events.

So much so, Jon Ossoff, the Democratic Senator for Georgia, even quipped that Trump was no longer interested in being the US leader, claiming, “He wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie,” prompting backlash from those in Trump’s administration.

With Melania’s public appearances becoming fewer and further between, murmurs around the future of their long-standing marriage have become louder, particularly since Harp’s introduction into the equation as one of Trump's closest aides.

Social media speculates around apparent feud and affair

A number of users took to X to voice their theories on what the discussion between the two was about, with one saying: “Looks like Trump and Melania were arguing over something at the Freedom 250 event today. My guess is it’s Natalie Harp.”

Another added, “Melania leaves as soon a Natalie Harp is spotted in the booth.”

A third quipped: I wonder if it has anything to do with Trump‘s close aid Natalie? Melania couldn’t care less what Trump‘s relationship with Natalie is, but it humiliates her because it’s in public.”

Featured Image Credit: SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

The US boundary-pushing artist was live on stage at Sziget in Budapest when she revealed to the audience that she was "about to start her period" whilst performing and that "if I'm free bleeding at any point on this stage, peace and love."

But what exactly is free bleeding, and why was it proved so controversial?

Credit: Jeff Hahne/Getty Images

What is "free bleeding"?

Free bleeding is the act of not using pads, tampons or menstrual cups to either block or collect the flow of your period.

Instead, "free bleeders" choose to bleed naturally into their environment, whether that be on a towel they've collected underneath them, into special period underwear or old clothes.

Free bleeding can also have a financial benefit in this regard - since you won't be purchasing period products every single month.

Some people choose to do so, of course, out of comfort, but many see free bleeding as a modern comment on trying to destigmatize periods in everyday life.

In many parts of the world, persisting taboos and stigmas surrounding periods mean that people who are actively menstruating can be excluded from regular activities. As research by The Guardian points out, this is still a very real concern - Nepal only abolished a law that meant women had to be banished to their huts whilst on their period in 2019.

But free bleeding as a practice is a divisive one, especially in countries such as the US and UK, where periods in general are widely accepted.

However, Ashnikko's proud declaration that she might indeed free bleed while performing her live festival set has certainly put this topic at the front of people's minds.

Especially on social media, where people seem mixed in their reactions to free bleeding in practice, with some praising Ashnikko's candour, while others were just a bit too freaked out by the concept of free bleeding in general.

But let's break it down even further.

Free bleeding is safe to do - but not all that beneficial

There are absolutely no known risks to free bleeding, as long as your general bodily hygiene is maintained throughout.

As Dr Susanna Unsworth, an Intimina women's health expert, told Tyla, free bleeding is "a new term for quite simple."

While it is definitely safe to free bleed, Dr Unsworth was also quick to point out that there is no "particular health benefit" to free bleeding.

She explained: "Menstrual blood leaving the body is the same whether it is absorbed by a sanitary pad or allowed to soak into underwear or clothing."

However, one thing to look out for is the fact that period blood can carry some bloodborne viruses such as Hepatitis B, which can linger for up to seven days, or Hepatitis C, which can be viable for even longer, up to three weeks. But as long as the blood is disposed of and you're avoiding "through-the-skin exposure," then everything will be fine.

Featured image credit: Jeff Hahne/Getty Images

One trend that gained popularity was the "trash the dress" photoshoot, which sees brides taking their expensive wedding gowns into unconventional settings to create snapshots.

But for 30-year-old bride Maria Pantazopoulos, taking part in the trend ended in tragedy after she entered a river for a photoshoot following her wedding.

A "trash the dress" photoshoot has become more popular in recent years. Credit: Andersen Ross / Getty

What is the 'trash the dress' trend?

Wedding dresses have traditionally been carefully preserved after the ceremony, sometimes remaining stored away for generations. The "trash the dress" trend turned that idea on its head.

Instead of keeping their gowns clean, brides would put them back on for a photoshoot in an unusual, rugged, or messy environment, like a beach, lake, or muddy field, designed to contrast with the elegance of traditional wedding photography.

Maria took part in one such shoot on June 9, 2012, after marrying her husband, Billy, earlier that day.

Pictures from the wedding showed the newlyweds smiling together and surrounded by confetti.

Later, Maria headed to the Ouareau River near Dorwin Falls in Rawdon, Montreal, for the photoshoot with photographer Louis Pagakis. No members of her family accompanied her during the shoot.

Her wedding dress became heavy in the water

According to BBC News, Maria entered the river while wearing her wedding gown, but the dress became increasingly heavy after absorbing water.

The bride, who was described as "small of stature" and weighing around 100lbs, was overwhelmed after a current pulled her toward the bottom. The water in that section was reportedly around eight meters deep.

She had her wedding dress on and she said 'take some pictures of me while I swim a little bit in the lake,'" Pagakis told CTV News. "She went in and her dress got heavy, I tried everything I could to save her. I jumped in, I was screaming and yelling. We tried our best."

Per the Toronto Sun, Maria's final words to the photographer were: "I can't anymore, it's too heavy."

The incident happened at around 2:00PM. Maria's body was recovered roughly four hours later.

Sgt. Ronald McInnis, speaking on behalf of the Quebec provincial police, said Maria had initially been standing in shallow water.

"She was doing the photo shoot in about six inches or one foot of water when part of her wedding dress got soaked and became extremely heavy.

"She started slipping and falling down when the photographer grabbed her but she was too heavy that he couldn't pull her from the edge."

McInnis said he had never previously encountered a case like it.

"It's horrible," he added. "This is the first time I've heard of a story like that. I told my partner, this is a story that is going to go all around the world."

Following Maria's death, CTV Montreal reported that photographer Mario Michaud came forward and said another bride he had been photographing had nearly suffered a similar fate months earlier at the same location.

Photographer Louis Pagakis spoke after the tragedy. Credit: CTV

Maria's family called for stronger safety measures

Maria's family called on local authorities to introduce additional protections at the location.

Daily Mail reported that they stressed that the late bride would not knowingly have placed herself in danger.

"One thing we are certain about is that our Maria would have never put her life at risk," her family said. "Her love for life, for her husband and for her family would never allow it...She trusted Mr. Louis Pagakis' recommendation for the location and felt safe enough to attend the photo shoot alone with the photographers."

"The family asks the municipal council of Rawdon to work on putting in place stronger security measures to avoid any future tragedies," they added.

Featured image credit: Andersen Ross/Getty

The actress has previously spoken about her experiences on set with John Cena, where their sex scenes knew no bounds.

In case you forgot, the comedian starred in the 2015 hit comedy alongside the WWE legend, who played an insecure, fitness-obsessed boyfriend.

The pair shared an unforgettable and highly graphic bedroom sequence, with the hilarious sequence remembered by fans to this day.

Schumer joked that the wrestler-turned-actor was literally inside her while the cameras were rolling, in multiple interviews during the press tour.

“He was actually inside me. Who am I to stop him? It’s a whole universe, that butt. It’s not even human. It felt like having a refrigerator on top of me,” she told MTV Australia.

However, things weren't so breezy when it came to other intimate scenes on set.

Amy Schumer joked that John Cena was literally inside her while the cameras were rolling on the set of Trainwreck. Credit: Universal Pictures

Schumer told actor to go away before sex scene

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in a roundtable with fellow female comedians Lena Dunham, Ellie Kemper, Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez, and Tracee Ellis Ross, she opened up about an uncomfortable moment she shared with a Trainwreck co-star.

While the group spoke about sexism in Hollywood and the realities of breaking barriers in a largely male-dominated genre, Schumer gave an example of this.

She explained: "When I was filming Trainwreck last summer, I had a bunch of sex scenes. Full penetration. We went for it.

"This guy we were going to have make out with me was like, 'Um, do you want our first kiss to be on camera?' I was like, 'No, no, come to my trailer, and we'll make out beforehand.'

"It was so grotesque. I'm like, 'Did you think I cast you because I want to make out with you?' Then there was a lot of unnecessary touching. I was like, 'Get that guy out of there,'" she recalled.

While Schumer seemed to be a seasoned pro, Kemper admitted that she had never done a sex scene, while Dunham admitted that the scenes bring up mixed emotions.

"I never understand when people say, 'Sex scenes are so mechanical; it doesn't feel like anything.' It feels like someone f***ing you! It's confusing," Dunham said.

Ross spoke out about how TV shows handle it, explaining how specific instructions are given to actors before shooting.

Schumer said that intimate practice with a male co-star went wrong. Credit: Dia Dipasupil / Getty

Schumer spoke out about the John Cena sex scene

When speaking to MTV Australia, she joked about the physical demands of the scene, saying: “I think it was probably harder for him. He had to, like, do something. I just did what I usually do when I have sex. Just lay there."

"You know what? I didn’t get to feel his balls. It’s a major regret of mine. Major regret," she further joked.

Schumer made the claims while promoting the film alongside fellow comedian Bill Hader, as the actress was also asked about how many takes the sex scene needed, before speaking about how Cena was "actually inside" her.

Hader seemed to see the funny side of things, too, sarcastically claiming that wrestlers "don't fake," which, of course, they do.

Featured image credit: Amy Schumer / Instagram

During an interview with Complex alongside her Hurry Up Tomorrow co-star The Weeknd, the Wednesday star brought up the bizarre claim that she had been in a relationship with Depp despite insisting she had never even met the actor.

The actress addresses the rumors she was dating Depp

Jenna Ortega was rumored to have been linked to Johnny Depp. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images.

“Well I've already said the Johnny Depp thing, where we were in a relationship allegedly. Never met him,” Ortega said.

The Weeknd appeared surprised by the story, responding: “I never saw that.”

Ortega then explained that the rumour became so widespread that people she actually worked with began asking her about it.

“So much so, people were asking me on set. ‘Oh how's it going with you and [Johnny Depp]?’ What the fuck are you talking about?” she claimed.

The dating speculation first circulated online in 2023, with gossip accounts claiming Ortega and Depp had been romantically linked. Both stars subsequently denied the claims.

This isn't the first time Ortega has been forced to deny rumors

Ortega previously addressed the bizarre story during a 2024 BuzzFeed interview, describing it as “so insane to me” and saying she had never made comments attributed to her about the supposed relationship with the actor, maintaining they'd never met.

She also revealed that the rumor had reached her Death of a Unicorn co-star Richard E. Grant, who asked her directly: “Oh, so you and Johnny?”

Ortega said she simply laughed because, as she put it, “I don't know that person.”

The actress and Depp have yet to work on a film together, but with the pair both currently active in the industry, they could certainly cross paths soon.

According to one of Depp's representatives, via HuffPost, the actor also felt obliged to dismiss the rumor as false, writing in a statement that said he "has no personal or professional relationship with Ms. Ortega whatsoever."

"He has never met her or spoken to her. He is not involved in any project with her, nor does he intend to be," the statement read, as reported by those outlets. "He is appalled by these baseless and malicious rumors that are intended to harm his reputation and career.”

Featured Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images.

Vogel, Panettiere's former manager who became estranged from her daughter, has received backlash after commenting on the Heroes star's tragic death at age 36.

Known for her roles on the TV hit Nashville as well as the slasher film franchise Scream, Panettiere was found dead inside an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, August 16.

An investigation into her cause of death is still ongoing.

Hayden Panettiere and her mother, Lesley Vogel. Credit: Mathew Imaging / Getty

Hayden Panettiere's mom says she was involved with "the wrong person"

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Vogel said that her daughter was "beautiful and talented young woman who unfortunately became involved with the wrong person.

"Although her family tried to extricate him from her life, we were unable to be successful."

The 70-year-old went on to say: "Although my daughter and I were estranged, it was not for lack of care or love. It was due to the involvement of a toxic individual who I believe led to her death."

While not explicitly naming the "toxic individual," Vogel has previously slammed Panettiere's on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson.

Hayden Panettiere sadly passed away at the age of just 36, with several stars rushing to pay tribute to her and her family following the announcement. Credit: XNY/Star Max/GC Images/Getty

Gayle King rips into Vogel's statement, "thanks mom, for nothing"

Vogel's new comments come after her first, initial statement issued to the press received some scathing commentary from public figures such as Gayle King.

Originally speaking to NBC News, Vogel focused less on the legacy her daughter's work would leave behind and more on personal matters.

She told the outlet that the pair had been estranged since October and spent a significant part of the interview criticizing Hickerson, who she says was present at the time of Panettiere's death.

However, Gayle King was very clearly not impressed with Vogel's comments, and while covering the story live-on-air, ripped into Panettiere's mother, who was her manager at the start of her career as a child star.

"It makes me so sad of the opportunity that you have after your daughter's death that that's what you choose to leave us with," King said, proferring that Vogel's comments were "sad" and "unseemly."

"'You know, guys, you read this and all I can think is, 'Thanks, Mom, for nothing,'" King said of the statement.

Vogel and her daughter had a famously complicated and nuanced relationship. Vogel, herself a former soap actress, had managed Panettiere's acting career since she was just 8 months old.

In her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, Panettiere claimed that Vogel's role as a mom and manager began to blur significantly as she grew up, and that she ultimately severed their working relationship when she was 19 and beginning to work on Heroes.

Before her death, Panettiere told Us Weekly that she and Vogel "didn't have a relationship right now."

Featured image credit: Mathew Imaging / Getty Images

Hickerson was in an on-again, off-again relationship with the Heroes star that has attracted much controversy, including from her own estranged mother, Lesley Vogel.

Police have said that Hickerson was present at the North Carolina apartment where Panettiere died last Sunday. The circumstances of her death are still under investigation.

Now, Hickerson has broken his silence with a statement from his lawyers.

What did Brian Hickerson say in his statement following Hayden Panettiere's death?

In a statement released to TMZ, Hickerson's attorney Sloan Ellis said: "Hayden's death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed.

"As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden's loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time."

E! News has also obtained Greenville Police Department report, which states that Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were both present at the apartment complex as authorities arrived at the apartment complex after Panettiere had been found unresponsive.

The siblings both confirmed to the police that they had been the ones to call 911, with Zach Hickerson calling Panettiere his "brother's girlfriend" when questioned by investigators.

Panettiere's role as cheerleader Claire Bennet in the superhero drama Heroes made her a star Credit: NBC

What's the history of Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson's relationship?

Much has been made of the on-again off-again relationship between Panettiere and Hickerson, which dates back to 2018.

Panettiere was previously in a relationship with Wladimir Klitschko, a Ukranian boxing champion with who she shared a daughter, Kaya. The pair were previously engaged but broke up in 2018, with Panettiere relinquishing full custody of her daughter to Klitschko.

Things started to sour in 2019, when Hickerson was arrested by police following an alleged altercation with Panettiere and he was charged with felony domestic violence, though the case was later dismissed since prosecutors "could not secure a material witness."

Yet on Valentine's Day 2020, Hickerson was arrested again following another altercation with his girlfriend. In 2021, he plead no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail, four years of probation and 52 domestic violence classes.

However, in the months leading up to her death, it was clear that the couple were attempting to reconcile, having been spotted on numerous occasions.

The pair reportedly travelled together from Los Angeles to South Carolina the day before Panettiere died.

Featured image credit: MEGA/GC Images/Getty

The 52-year-old actor is best known for playing single New Yorker Ted Mosby in the Emmy Award-winning CBS sitcom, which followed his life alongside his tight-knit group of best friends.

The series, which ran for nine seasons from 2005 to 2014, also starred Jason Segel as law student Marshall Eriksen, Alyson Hannigan as kindergarten teacher Lily Aldrin, Neil Patrick Harris as playboy Barney Stinson, and Cobie Smulders as Canadian news reporter Robin Scherbatsky.

Given how much time the cast spent together for almost a decade, fans assumed the actors were inseparable once the cameras stopped rolling. But according to Radnor, that's not the case.

Josh Radnor has revealed whether the How I Met Your Mother cast shares a bond today. Credit: Dave Benett / Getty

Radnor says the cast are 'not even a little bit' close

Radnor was asked about his current relationship with his former co-stars during an appearance on the Half the Picture podcast with host Billy Barnell.

When the question turned to whether the main cast remained close after nine years working together, he didn't hesitate: "No. Not even a little bit."

Despite the candid admission, Radnor immediately clarified that there wasn't a "dramatic" feud responsible for the distance between them.

Instead, he suggested that their lives simply went in different directions after the show concluded.

He compared their experience to leaving college

The Liberal Arts actor explained that the cast's relationship reminds him of the bonds people can develop at college before eventually moving on with their separate lives.

"I have love for all these people," he said. "It’s like college where you have this very intense time together, and you think you’re going to be - you can’t imagine not seeing each other every day because you’ve seen each other every day for so long. And then it just disperses, and you just go out and live your life."

"People really want to believe that, like, me and Neil and Jason are like hitting bars in New York City together," he continued. "They really want to believe that. Acting is like a lot of love affairs you have, and then you move on."

Still, Radnor hasn't completely lost contact with his former castmates.

He revealed that he and Segel "send each other texts every once in a while," although the pair haven't seen each other in "a really long time".

Meanwhile, Smulders has appeared on Radnor's How We Made Your Mother rewatch podcast, which he hosts with series co-creator Craig Thomas. Radnor said he's "seen her mostly on Zoom".

As for Hannigan, Radnor last saw her when she attended his wedding to Jordana Jacobs in 2024.

Neil Patrick Harris, Cobie Smulders, Josh Radnor, Alyson Hannigan and Jason Segel filmed nine season of HIMYM. Credit: Jason Merritt / Getty

Radnor and Neil Patrick Harris discussed their on-set tension

The filmmaker's relationship with Harris has also come back into focus through the rewatch podcast.

When the 53-year-old appeared on the show earlier in 2026, the former co-stars discussed some of the tension they experienced while working together on the sitcom.

"We had Neil [Patrick Harris] on the podcast, and he and I had a really interesting conversation about some of the tension we had on set that was fascinating and kind of healing," Radnor said.

Harris confessed that while playing Barney Stinson, he sometimes sensed Radnor becoming annoyed with his performance choices.

"I remember often when we were filming, and I sensed frustration from you because you wanted the scene to be like a good scene, and I was looking at you like, 'Motherf***er, I’m doing spit takes,'" Harris told him.

Radnor acknowledged the friction, although he suggested it "might have been a little bit of confusion between actor and character".

He also admitted that insecurity had affected him during the show's run, as several of his castmates, including Harris, were more famous than him when they started filming.

"I think that I was just trying to manage a lot of different things and emotions, and they came out sideways sometimes," he said.

The former co-stars are now more like family

Even though the actors don't share the kind of active friendship fans might expect, Radnor made it clear that he still has love for his former co-stars and believes the bond they developed is more comparable to family.

"I think it’s a little more like family than friends in that you don’t get to choose your family. We were cast. We didn’t choose each other. And family dynamics come out to play when you’re in an environment like that for so long," he said.

"But you also have love that is quite deep and rich and probably everlasting, but it’s not an active love. Acting is like love affairs that you have, and then you move on," he added.

Featured image credit: Dave Benett / Getty

Briel Adams-Wheatley, who has built a huge online following by documenting her everyday life, has around five million followers on TikTok and another million on Instagram.

The couple's unusual relationship

The husband of a wife with no limbs has answered the one question everyone asks. Credit: No Limbs/Instagram

Born in Brazil, Briel has a rare condition known as Hanhart syndrome. Only around 30 cases are believed to have been recorded worldwide, with the condition thought to be linked to vascular disruption during fetal development.

She was adopted as a child by a family in Utah, where she grew up, and has since become known for showing people exactly how she navigates life without limbs.

Among her many talents is makeup. Briel regularly shares videos showing herself applying cosmetics and even putting on false eyelashes, demonstrating the independence she has developed over the years.

Briel began creating content during lockdown after finding herself with plenty of time on her hands.

The 26-year-old told People: “I was like, ‘Let’s film a makeup video.’ So I filmed one just from the chest up, and it did really well. But all the comments were like, ‘Why aren’t you using your hands? Why aren’t you using your hands?’”

Initially, she had not intended to explain why she did not use her hands. But after repeatedly seeing the same questions, she decided to reveal more of herself.

Showing her full body online helped Briel become increasingly comfortable with her appearance, despite also receiving cruel comments from internet trolls.

She has previously credited her adoptive mother with helping her develop confidence and independence from an early age.

That encouragement also helped Briel discover a passion for dance. She eventually auditioned for her school's talent show and realised that performing could help challenge other people's perceptions of her.

“I realized I needed to show people at school that I wasn’t just the kid in the wheelchair,” she said.

“Before that, I wasn’t getting invited to parties or asked to hang out. But once people saw what I could do, everything changed.”

By the time she reached high school, Briel had joined her school's dance company and was creating her own routines as another form of self-expression.

Briel has not always been known by her current name. She came out as a transgender woman in 2023, having met her husband Adam on Tinder three years earlier.

According to Briel, Adam was supportive from the beginning and even built her a custom desk at a height that worked for her, helping to make everyday tasks easier.

Before they married, Briel had already spoken to Adam about her feelings surrounding her gender identity.

“Yeah, I had also told him a little bit before we got married, too that I was having feelings about it, but I just wasn’t sure if it was something I was comfortable with, actually fully going into and just keeping suppressed,” she explained.

“And if he was comfortable with it and everything.

“But Adam was the first person to know before everyone. And I waited a few months before I did it publicly as well. I already started a few things behind the scenes.”

Since Briel came out publicly, one question has repeatedly been directed towards Adam: how does he feel about his wife's transition?

Adam addresses question everyone asks

Adam addressed the subject directly, making clear that her happiness was what mattered most to him.

“I really couldn’t care less about her transitioning,” he said. “I mean, like, I’m very happy that she found who she is. And I’ve seen a big difference in her happiness and confidence and everything.”

“But I mean, I fell in love with her and not what she was, just who she was.”

Adam explained that one of the trickiest parts of the transition was adjusting to Briel's new pronouns, particularly because he knew about her plans before she had told everyone else.

“It was hard going from like pronouns for more than one reason. One, because I knew before everybody else. So I had to use he/him in front of people, and I couldn’t remember who she had told yet or not,” he said.

“And so it was really confusing to use one thing at home and another [outside their home].”

Then, just as he had become accustomed to using the correct pronouns, Briel changed her name and began wearing wigs.

“And then as soon as I got the pronouns under control, she changed her name and then started wearing wigs,” Adam said.

“It was just a lot of learning, learning, learning, learning, learning. But it was a good journey. She was patient with me.”

Featured Image Credit: No Limbs/Instagram

According to Page Six, two patrol cars displaying the Greenville Police Department (GPD) logos were spotted arriving at the house, which belongs to one Betty Ellison, at around 8:20 AM on Wednesday (August 19).

The publication stated that an officer approached the property and repeatedly knocked on the front door, to no response.

Her colleague then tried the side door, but after no success, they left around three minutes later.

Zach, 38, was spotted at the home on Tuesday.

The four-bedroom home, which had its blinds closed all morning, is located just five miles from the Judson Mill Lofts apartment complex, where Panettiere was found deceased on Sunday.

While authorities suspect an overdose, this is yet to be confirmed.

A GPD representative told the publication that officers were responding to a request for a welfare check, but the individual or individuals involved were not specified.

Hayden Panettiere and ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson endured a tumultuous relationship. Credit: MEGA/GC Images/Getty

Authorities responded to calls of a woman in cardiac arrest

Police and medics responded to the Airbnb where the Heroes actor "had been temporarily staying" after getting a call about a woman undergoing cardiac arrest.

Brian, who had an on-again, off-again relationship with the former child star over the years, was reportedly asleep in the bedroom when Zach walked in and found Panettiere "unresponsive."

Zach described Panettiere to cops as his "brother's girlfriend," as rumors had circulated that the couple were back together despite breaking up as the result of numerous allegations of domestic violence, several arrests and criminal pleas.

Featured image credit: MEGA/GC Images/Getty

The Nashville and Scream actress sadly passed away on Sunday (August 16).

Chilling 911 audio indicated that “CPR [was] in progress” within minutes of the call, after Panettiere was found unresponsive at a South Carolina residence before her death.

Dispatch audio also referenced a potential overdose and cardiac arrest, as unconfirmed reports mentioned that Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, was present at the residence.

It has not been confirmed whether the medication was administered, as the actress had traveled to South Carolina from Los Angeles with her on-and-off partner Brian Hickerson the day before the incident.

Now, old messages from the couple's tumultuous relationship have resurfaced years after Hickerson was arrested after striking the actress with a closed fist.

Hayden Panettiere and ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson had an on-again off-again relationship over the years. Credit: MEGA/GC Images/Getty

Threatening texts sent to Panettiere

According to TMZ, Hickerson sent Panettiere a number of odd texts after being arrested on Valentine's Day in 2020 after hitting his girlfriend at an Airbnb.

They were sent to her during the criminal case, as officers noted that Hickerson, who looked to be intoxicated, was locked out of the building that night.

An affidavit included screenshots of missed calls and texts to Panettiere, despite court order prohibiting him from contacting her.

He allegedly sent her a text reading: “Time to go to war I guess.”

Another text read: “After Wyoming and LA disappears so do the videos.”

The publication further disclosed another text, which said: “Even if i sit in a jail cell for ten years. All of the stuff that is vaulted overseas with my people will come out the second I step foot into prison.

“And all that does is hurt your name while simultaneously clearing my name. And at that point who actually cares?”

He also allegedly wrote: “Say something Hayd, so I don’t get defensive and start firing off emails to people to get ready.

“I thought his legal stuff would magically disappear… we gotta figure something out, buddy,” Hickerson allegedly wrote.

According to authorities at the time, the texts proved that he was trying to get Panettiere to drop the case against him, also writing: “It is very simple, it is a very simple fix, between me and you, you gotta make one phone call.”

The outlet also reported him writing: “I don’t want to go to court, for you,”

“I will be f–king fine in court, trust me, it’s for you.”

Hayden Panettiere was allegedly threatened with texts by Hickerson. Credit: XNY/Star Max/GC Images/Getty

Hickerson's legal troubles

Just three days before Panettiere's death, Hickerson had his request to reduce his past felony charges denied.

Back in April 2021, he pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend after being arrested in Los Angeles and being hit with an eight-count criminal indictment.

These charges stemmed from multiple incidents involving Panettiere between May 2019 and January 2020.

In an Aug 13 hearing, the prosecution objected to both his motions to reduce the charges to a misdemeanor, as Page Six reported.

Hickerson was sentenced to 45 days in county jail back in 2021, as well as four years of formal probation, 52 mandatory domestic violence classes and a five-year restraining order.

Featured image credit: Raymond Hall/GC Images/Getty

Friends of Hayden Panettiere have reportedly been left dealing with grief and regret following the actress's sudden death at the age of 36.

Those close to the Heroes and Nashville star are said to have had serious concerns about her long-running, on-and-off relationship with Brian Hickerson, with one Hollywood source claiming to the Daily Mail that they “hated him”.

Panettiere's tumultuous relationship with boyfriend

Hayden Panettiere reportedly had a tumultuous relationship with her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson. Credit: Instagram/@haydenpanettiere

People who knew Panettiere personally and professionally reportedly feared the relationship was harmful, but felt unable to persuade her to permanently walk away.

“He was bad news from the beginning,” one Hollywood agent claimed. “Her friends hated him. They thought he was trouble. They thought she was better than this relationship. We kept waiting for her to see what everyone else could see.”

Hickerson, 37, was reportedly among the people present with Panettiere when police responded to an emergency call at a luxury apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday afternoon.

There is currently no indication that Hickerson caused or contributed to Panettiere’s death, with the investigation still ongoing.

A heavily redacted police report allegedly states that Hickerson and his brother Zach were at the property when emergency responders arrived.

According to the report, Zach was “very emotional” as paramedics attempted to revive Panettiere, while Brian allegedly showed little visible emotion until she was pronounced dead.

The report also states that Hickerson showed officers a “bag of medication” belonging to Panettiere.

The circumstances have reportedly been particularly difficult for her friends to process given Hickerson's presence during her final moments.

“We will replay conversations,” one producer claimed. “We will remember phone calls and moments when we spoke up or stayed quiet. Could another intervention, another conversation have changed the ending? We will never know.”

Domestic violence allegations

Hayden Panettiere and ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson had a tumultuous relationship. Credit: MEGA/GC Images/Getty

Panettiere's relationship with Hickerson had previously been surrounded by allegations of domestic violence.

In 2021, Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony charges involving injuries to a girlfriend. He was subsequently sentenced to 45 days in county jail, required to complete 52 domestic violence classes and given a five-year restraining order.

Hickerson later acknowledged one occasion when he became physically violent towards Panettiere.

Panettiere also detailed her allegations of abuse in her 2026 memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, describing how the alleged violence escalated over time.

“The slaps become hits,” she wrote. “One night he busts up my face so badly I don’t leave the house for weeks.”

A music industry source claimed those around Panettiere struggled to understand why she repeatedly returned to the relationship.

“Everyone around her thought she deserved better,” the source said. “Nobody understood why she kept going back to him. We could see the pattern and we were terrified she couldn't see it herself.”

Panettiere's mother, Lesley Vogel, also spoke publicly about Hickerson following her daughter's death.

“This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death and that was Brian Hickerson,” she told NBC News.

Reports have also claimed Panettiere traveled with Hickerson from Los Angeles to South Carolina shortly before her death.

Sources previously told TMZ that the pair had been “dating consistently for years”, despite keeping their relationship largely private while Panettiere promoted her memoir.

“Hayden's camp felt Brian was ‘bad for business’,” TMZ reported.

However, one family source claimed that "Hayden loved bad boys." “She didn't want to be abused. She didn't wanted chaos. She was drawn to toxic relationships.”

Another source offered a blunt assessment: “She thought love was supposed to hurt. She confused intensity with intimacy.”

A television executive who previously worked with Panettiere said those around her believed she required stability rather than the turmoil allegedly associated with Hickerson.

“She needed stability and he represented the opposite,” the source said. “He was the one person everybody wished she would cut out completely. Yet he kept coming back. And so did she.”

That reportedly left Panettiere's friends facing a difficult decision whenever Hickerson returned to her life.

“Hayden's friends tried to remain close to her rather than completely sever contact when Hickerson returned,” a celebrity makeup artist claimed. “They knew that attacking him too aggressively could push Hayden further away. You wanted to save her, but you couldn't make the decision for her.”

Panettiere's death remains under investigation, and her official cause of death has not yet been established.

For those closest to her, however, the circumstances surrounding her final hours have reportedly left an agonizing question hanging over them: whether there was anything more they could have done.

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@haydenpanettiere

The Greenville Police Department report confirms that Hickerson and his brother Zach were at the scene when first responders arrived at the Judson Mill Lofts Airbnb.

One detail in the report has drawn particular attention.

Officers noted that Zach was 'very emotional' as EMS declared Panettiere dead.

Brian, according to the report, did not show any emotion.

What the police report says

After Panettiere was pronounced dead, Hickerson showed officers a 'bag of medication' that she had been taking at the time of her death.

The report does not specify what the medication was.

Sources told TMZ that Narcan, a nasal medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, was found on a mattress inside the apartment.

Audio of the 911 call from the property captured a dispatcher describing the situation as a 'cardiac arrest'.

A separate dispatch reference described it as a 'suspected overdose'.

An autopsy was completed on Monday.

It found 'no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death'. The Greenville County Coroner's Office says the cause of death remains under investigation.

Hayden Panettiere tragically passed away on August 16. Credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

The timeline

Panettiere and Hickerson flew together from Los Angeles to South Carolina on Saturday, August 15.

The next day, she was found unresponsive inside the rented apartment.

First responders attempted advanced cardiac life support and chest compressions. She was pronounced dead at 2:32pm ET.

She was 36 years old. She would have turned 37 on Thursday.

What came out three days before her death

Court records show that Hickerson had recently attempted to have his felony domestic violence charges expunged.

A judge rejected the attempt three days before Panettiere died.

Hickerson was arrested in May 2019 and charged with felony domestic violence against Panettiere.

He pleaded no contest in April 2021 and was sentenced to 45 days in prison and four years' probation. A five-year restraining order was issued.

Despite all of that, they got back together.

In her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, published just three months before her death, Panettiere wrote that Hickerson beat her so severely she had to stay inside for weeks to keep the injuries hidden from the public.

Hickerson's response since her death

Hickerson has not made a public statement.

He deleted his Instagram account on Monday after fans flooded his posts with comments accusing him of responsibility for her death.

A resurfaced interview, now circulating widely online, shows Hickerson grinning as he discusses the domestic abuse allegations against him. The clip has drawn widespread disgust.

He has not been accused of any criminal involvement in her death.

The police report makes no suggestion of foul play. The autopsy found no signs of trauma.

But the detail that he showed no emotion as his partner of eight years was declared dead in front of him, while his own brother broke down beside him, is the one that people cannot stop talking about.

Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson in 2023. Credit: MEGA / Getty

Where the investigation stands

The Greenville County Coroner's Office is continuing its investigation.

No official cause of death has been released. Toxicology results, which could confirm or rule out an overdose, are expected to take several weeks.

Panettiere had been dealing with severe health issues in the months before her death, including nerve damage in her lower back that at one point left her unable to move her legs.

She was seen on crutches at LAX in March.

She had also spoken openly about her history of opioid addiction and alcohol dependency, and about the heartbreaking decision to give up custody of her daughter Kaya, now 11, to former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko while she tried to get well.

She leaves behind Kaya and a family still recovering from the death of her younger brother Jansen, who died at 28 from an enlarged heart in 2023.

Read more of VT's coverage: Police reveal new details | 911 call audio | Health issues before death

Lesley Vogel, 70, told NBC News that Hickerson was someone the family had been trying to remove from Panettiere's life for years.

"This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death," she said, "and that was Brian Hickerson."

What Vogel said about her daughter

Her comments were a mix of grief and frustration.

She praised Panettiere's talent while making it clear she believed her daughter had lost her way.

"I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments," she told NBC News.

"And I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry - it is a struggle and it's a very challenging industry and it's not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path."

"I think Hayden sadly lost her way and I wish it were different. I wish she had stayed true to herself because she had many incredible attributes."

She also flagged the timing of the 911 call, which came just before 2pm on a Sunday afternoon.

"It's not at the typical hour of the day that you are partying, generally speaking."

What she said about Hickerson specifically

Vogel did not hold back. She told NBC News that both she and Panettiere's father had been concerned about Hickerson's influence on their daughter for a long time.

"There is a lot of history in the past that Brian has enabled Hayden many times and this is why her father and I had been concerned for a long time about him."

She confirmed she would be speaking with a detective about her daughter's death but said she had no additional information about what happened inside the apartment beyond what has already been reported.

Hayden Panettiere and her mother, Lesley Vogel. Credit: Mathew Imaging/Getty

The estrangement

The public nature of Vogel's statement is complicated by the fact that she and Panettiere were not in contact when the actress died.

Panettiere told Us Weekly in 2025 that the relationship with her mother had broken down completely. "Unfortunately, we don't have a relationship right now," she said. "But that doesn't mean that I don't leave the door open for the opportunity to present itself one day. It's hard for me to say, but I've chosen to be brutally honest. So that's the honest truth of it."

Vogel confirmed the estrangement earlier this year, telling Page Six in May that she had chosen the 'no-contact route' after '20 years of trauma' and on the advice of professionals.

The feeling was mutual on the other side too. Hickerson told TMZ in May: "Hayden's mother is by far one of the worst people I've ever met in my life. I just can't with her. She's terrible."

A mother who hadn't spoken to her daughter. A boyfriend the family spent years trying to get rid of. Both of them are now talking publicly about the woman caught between them who is no longer here to give her own version.

What is known so far

Panettiere was found unresponsive at an Airbnb inside the Judson Mill Lofts complex in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday. She was pronounced dead at 2:32pm ET.

A police report confirmed that Hickerson and his brother Zach were in the apartment at the time. Officers noted that Zach was 'very emotional'. Brian showed no emotion.

Hickerson showed officers a 'bag of medication' Panettiere had been taking. Sources told TMZ that Narcan was found on a mattress inside the apartment. Dispatch audio referenced both a 'cardiac arrest' and a 'suspected overdose'.

An autopsy found no signs of trauma that would have contributed to the death. The cause of death remains under investigation. Toxicology results are expected to take several weeks.

She was 36. She would have turned 37 on Thursday.

Read more of VT's coverage: Police reveal new details | 911 call audio | Health issues before death | Custody decision | Brother's cause of death

Panettiere, 36, best known for her roles as Claire Bennet in Heroes and Juliette Barnes in Nashville, was confirmed dead on Sunday (August 16).

Tributes have since poured in for the actress, who had spoken publicly in recent years about her struggles with postpartum depression and addiction.

The actress had also previously made the difficult decision to give custody of her daughter, Kaya, to her former partner Wladimir Klitschko while she sought treatment.

An official cause of death has yet to be established. Although an autopsy has been completed, authorities said further tests are needed. First responders found Panettiere in cardiac arrest at her home in Greenville, South Carolina.

Neighbor reveals what he heard on the day of Panettiere's death

Hayden Panettiere tragically passed away on Sunday (August 16). Credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

One neighbor has now described hearing talk of someone collapsing inside the building on the day Panettiere died.

The neighbor in question, Micah Lee, who lives at the Judson Mill Lofts complex, told WYFF: “The halls are pretty hollow, so noise echoes throughout. And I had just heard about someone collapsing.”

He continued: “And then afterwards there was talk about cardiac arrest. I can't confirm any of that. That's just what I've heard.”

Residents reportedly gathered in the corridors after news spread that someone had collapsed, with some later witnessing emergency responders removing a body from the building.

911 audio released following Panettiere's death also indicated that she was suffering a cardiac emergency. A dispatcher initially described the situation as cardiac arrest, while another reportedly suggested an overdose.

Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene less than an hour after the emergency call was placed.

Authorities probe further into the actress's devastating death

The Greenville County Coroner's Office has stressed that the circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.

In a statement, Coroner Kimberly Ellis said: “At autopsy, no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death.”

She added: “The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies. This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time.”

According to the coroner's statement, emergency services were called at around 1:51pm local time on Sunday.

“First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest,” the statement said.

“EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM.”

Panettiere's father, Skip, confirmed her death in a heartbreaking statement, describing his daughter as someone who brought happiness to those around her.

He said: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden.”

He added: “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.”

Featured Image Credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

The device used to dispense Narcan, a medicine typically used to quickly reverse an opioid overdose, was found at the scene of Hayden Panettiere’s death, according to TMZ.

Sources report that the equipment was found on a mattress inside the apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, where the actress died.

It is currently unknown if Panettiere received the dose of Narcan or if another person in distress at the apartment received it. According to 911 dispatch audio, the Nashville alum died after an "overdose".

Emergency medical responders were called to the scene on Sunday following a report regarding an "unidentified female" in "cardiac arrest". Within minutes, "CPR [was] in progress" for the "overdose". Responders attempted to resuscitate her using "advanced cardiac life support" and chest compressions, but she was pronounced dead at 2:32PM Panettiere was 36 years old.

Public openness with past personal battles

Panettiere spoke publicly about her struggles with alcohol and opioid addiction. In July 2022, she revealed to People that her addiction spiraled so far "out of control" at one point that she "couldn't live without" substances.

She recounted being offered "happy pills" prior to walking red carpets when she was 15 years old. "They were to make me peppy during interviews," she recalled. "I had no idea that this was not an appropriate thing, or what door that would open for me when it came to my addiction."

Hayden Panettiere tragically passed away on Sunday (August 16). Credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

She noted that while her career took off, she continued to drink heavily and occasionally take opioids. "My saving grace is that I couldn't be messy while on set and working," she said. "But things kept getting out of control [off set]. And as I got older, the drugs and alcohol became something I almost couldn't live without."

Her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, also detailed her experiences.

Final public message and reflections

During a final interview in May while promoting her memoir at a book event in Los Angeles, Panettiere stated that she wanted to "leave the world a better place."

"The strength is in our vulnerability," she told the audience. "So many people have come up to me within the industry and outside of the industry and shared their stories with me and said, 'Because you've talked about your mental health, it gave me the courage to be honest about mine and get myself help, and you saved my life.'"

Featured image credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Dispatch audio from the initial 1:51PM call indicated that the actress was suffering from a suspected cardiac arrest, while a male voice on the call mentioned a potential overdose. First responders performed chest compressions at the scene, but Panettiere was pronounced dead roughly 40 minutes later.

Authorities from the Greenville Police Department and the Greenville County Coroner's Office have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her passing. A representative for the actress confirmed that local officials are looking into the situation, while her father, Skip Panettiere, released a statement honoring his daughter.

Hayden Panettiere tragically passed away on Sunday (August 16). Credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," her father stated. "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."

Final travel and recent events

Per The Daily Mail, Panettiere flew from Los Angeles to South Carolina the day before her death alongside Brian Hickerson. The two shared a turbulent, on-again, off-again relationship between 2018 and 2022 that involved multiple domestic violence incidents. Hickerson served 45 days in county jail in 2021 after pleading no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend.

Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson in 2023. Credit: MEGA / Getty

Although Hickerson expressed a desire to marry the actress during an interview earlier this year, Panettiere dismissed the possibility during a brief interaction with reporters in May, stating via Us Weekly, "I don't think that's going to happen".

Memoir and personal history

Panettiere had recently addressed her past struggles with substance abuse, postpartum depression, and domestic violence in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning. Speaking about her past relationship with Us Weekly, she reflected on how difficult it was to process those experiences.

"It's a very embarrassing subject. I've always seen myself as such a resilient and strong woman," Panettiere said. "The idea that I could allow something like this to happen to me blew my mind. It blew the minds of the people that knew me best."

In addition to the police investigation, local authorities noted that preliminary inquiries have not shown any immediate evidence of foul play.

Featured image credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images