HEALTHHayden Panettiere Struggled to Walk and Used Crutches Due to Painful 'Nerve Damage' Months Before Death, Report Reveals
Hayden Panettiere died at the age of 36 on August 16.
Aug. 17 2026, Published 3:23 p.m. ET
Hayden Panettiere suffered from back issues due to an injury just months before she died at age 36 on Sunday, August 16.
The Heroes star was spotted using crutches and had trouble walking during a stopover at LAX back in March while she was accompanied by on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson, new reports revealed.
Hayden Panettiere Experienced 'Pinched Nerves' in Her Back During LAX Stopover
Hayden Panettiere was seen hobbling on crutches at LAX earlier this year.
In footage obtained by Daily Mail at the time, Panettiere told onlookers she had some "pinched nerves in my lower back."
However, she put a smile on her face and said she was "on the mend" as she exited the Los Angeles airport.
Hayden Panettiere was spotted in a social media clip struggling to walk while in New York City in May.
Just two months later, the Scream 6 alum was seen in a social media video heading into NYC's CBS Studios, where it appeared she had a hard time walking.
While she wasn't using crutches at the time, she leaned on an unidentified woman to steady herself as she got out of her car in front of the building.
During a May interview with Women's Health, Panettiere shared more about her injury and health issues.
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Hayden Panettiere previously explained she suffered nerve damage in her back.
"I've been dealing with an injury for the past year," the "Wake Up Call" singer explained. "Some nerve damage in my lower back."
"I quite literally woke up and felt nothing but pins and needles from my waist down," she continued. "I wasn't able to bend my toes or lift my foot at all. No one was able to give me a solid answer."
The blonde beauty worried about how long she would struggle, explaining, "It was like that for so long, that I was sitting there going, 'Oh my gosh, am I gonna be paralyzed for the rest of my... life?' It's the scariest thing that's ever happened to me physically, for sure."
Hayden Panettiere Passed Away From an Apparent 'Overdose' and 'Cardiac Arrest'
Hayden Panettiere was found 'unresponsive' at her South Carolina loft.
A source also told TMZ that in the months prior to her death, Panettiere had been complaining about back pain.
Panettiere passed away Sunday afternoon at her South Carolina home, where she was found "unresponsive." According to 911 dispatch audio, the former child star suffered a suspected “overdose” and “cardiac arrest."
Hayden Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:23 p.m. on Sunday, August 16.
Paramedics attempted to resuscitate the Remember the Titans actress but were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at 2:23 p.m. after emergency responders tried to revive her with “advanced cardiac life support” and chest compressions.
Panettiere reportedly flew in to South Carolina from Los Angeles with Hickerson just one day before her death.
Hickerson and Panettiere were in an on-off relationship from 2018 up until she passed away despite him previously being arrested for abuse.
