'Honestly, People Think It's a Joke to Ask for World Peace': Hayden Panettiere's Last Words Shared by Friend

Hayden Panettiere’s friend Clayton Johnson is opening up about the final message she sent him before her death on August 16.

Johnson shared an emotional tribute to Panettiere on Instagram on August 17, along with a video of the pair singing his 2025 single, “Never Have To Say.”

"It’s been a couple of weeks since our last phone call, but the last thing you ever texted me was, 'Honestly, people think it’s a joke to ask for world peace, but that would be me,'" Johnson wrote.

Looking back on their friendship, the musician said Panettiere’s message captured her personality perfectly.

"That was you in a nutshell," he continued. "I’m grateful I got to know you, and I’ll always be grateful for the memories."

Johnson also touched on the loss of Panettiere’s younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who died at 28 years old in February 2023.

"I spent last night trying to process, to try to find the right words, but there really aren’t any," the 37-year-old added. "More than anything, I hope you’re at peace now and reunited with Jansen."

The Nashville-based musician and Hayden became friends through their shared love of music and connections to Nashville’s creative community.

He then emotionally concluded, “I’m grateful I got to know you, and I’ll always be grateful for the memories. Fly high, Hayden. 🤍.”

As OK! previously reported, Hayden died on Sunday, August 16, at a residence in Greenville, S.C., after she was found unresponsive.

Emergency personnel were called to the residence and performed advanced cardiac life support measures. Despite their efforts, resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.

According to dispatch audio obtained by People, officials were heard discussing an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” around the time of Hayden’s death.

The Greenville Police Department and Greenville County Coroner’s Office are now investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

A spokesperson for the Greenville Police Department said there were no immediate markers of a homicide

“The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances,” a spokesperson said in a statement, per People. “An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.”

The following day, the Greenville County Coroner’s Office provided more details about the emergency response after authorities received the 911 call at approximately 1:51 p.m. on August 16.

“First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest. EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM,” they stated.

Authorities identified the woman as Hayden, who was “found unresponsive inside the residence, where she had been temporarily staying.”

The coroner’s office also confirmed that an autopsy was completed Monday.

“No signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death,” read the statement by Coroner Mike Ellis. “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.”