Horror fans everywhere are mourning the loss of Hayden Panettiere — including her own Scream co-stars.
In a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter, franchise star and final girl Neve Campbell remembered Panettiere, writing, “I found Hayden to be really kind and funny and brought a magnetic energy to set. She was a true talent which shows in the decades she worked in such a short life. Her family and loved ones are in my prayers.”
Panettiere died Sunday at age 36, after she was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest inside an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina. Officials on a 911 call were reportedly heard discussing an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” around the time of her death, though an official cause of death has not yet been revealed.
While Panettiere began her career as a child and teen actress, appearing in Remember the Titans, Ice Princess, I Love You, Beth Cooper, Heroes and Nashville, she became a beloved figure among horror fans as Kirby Reed in 2011’s Scream 4.
Panettiere originated the role of Kirby, a horror-obsessed high school student who became a fan favorite. The film, which was the final installment of the franchise directed by Wes Craven, also starred Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette, alongside Emma Roberts, Mary McDonnell, Rory Culkin, Nico Tortorella and Alison Brie.
Nancy Nayor, a casting director on Scream 4, recalled Panettiere’s casting in an interview with THR on Monday.
“When her name came up, she seemed like a really terrific contender for the role of Kirby and a great contrast to Emma Roberts,” Nayor said. “They were just visually and energetically very different, and we thought they would be great together.”
“I remember thinking she felt very happy. She was very excited to be in the mix and to get the role,” she continued. “The world is losing a very talented actress and beautiful soul who has shared and been revealing about her struggles along the way. One hopes that there’s a happy ending, but it doesn’t always turn out that way in real life.”
Hayden Panettiere and Emma Roberts in Scream 4.
Courtesy of Everett Collection
Nayor also reflected on the response to Panettiere’s return as Kirby in the sixth installment of the franchise.
“It made me happy that she had been so successful in Scream 4 and that fans were wanting to see more,” she said.
Following news of Panettiere’s death, several of her Scream co-stars shared tributes on social media.
Roberts, who played Kirby’s friend and fellow Scream 4 survivor Jill Roberts, shared throwback photos on Instagram, writing, “Rest in peace my sweet friend. You are so loved and you will be forever missed.”
Arquette wrote, “I love you Hayden.”
McDonnell wrote on Instagram, “Hayden you are a stunning, powerful, extraordinary soul. I loved working with you and seeing you recently and I was so proud of your determination and your resilience. This is a devastating loss. My heart and my prayers to your family and especially your beautiful Kaya. Your exceptional talent and heart will live in her. So deeply sad at this loss but heartfelt hope in the peace you so deserve now beautiful woman Hayden.”
Tortorella shared, “I keep trying to write something, but there are too few words for you. I love you. I miss you. And I’m sorry. I hope you and Jan are somewhere bigger than all of this.”
Panettiere had previously called the role “one of my favorite characters to ever play,” describing Kirby as “brave and fierce and edgy.”
Fans ultimately got to see Panettiere reprise the role more than a decade later in 2023’s Scream VI, where Kirby returned as an FBI agent. Her survival had been teased in 2022’s Scream, when she briefly appeared on a computer screen during an interview about the Woodsboro murders, confirming that she had survived the events of Scream 4.
Scream VI was the only film in the franchise that Campbell did not appear in, following a pay dispute. The film instead continued the revamped franchise introduced with 2022’s Scream, led by Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega.
Barrera, who was fired from the franchise after the sixth installment due to her comments on the Israel-Hamas war, also paid tribute to Panettiere, writing in an Instagram Story alongside a broken heart emoji, “Rest in peace sweet Hayden.”
From left: Dermot Mulroney, Jenna Ortega, Jack Champion, Hayden Panettiere, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Melissa Barrera and Mason Gooding in Scream VI.
