Emma Roberts has paid tribute to her “Scream 4” co-star and close friend Hayden Panettiere following the actress’ sudden death at 36. Panettiere was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, August 16, and pronounced dead at the scene. Her official cause of death has not been disclosed, though authorities said the preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
As Hollywood continues mourning the “Heroes” and “Nashville” star, Roberts shared an intimate throwback photograph from their friendship alongside an emotional message. “Rest in peace, my sweet friend. You are so loved, and you will be forever missed [red heart emoji],” Roberts wrote.
Roberts selected a candid photograph capturing an affectionate moment between the two actresses. In the image, Panettiere sits in a wicker chair while wearing a bright pink dress with a square neckline and statement sleeves. Her hair is pulled back as she beams directly at the camera.
Roberts leans over from beside her and plants a kiss near Panettiere’s temple. The “American Horror Story” actress wears her hair in a sleek ponytail and appears dressed in a dark blue and black outfit.
The Actresses Starred Together In ‘Scream 4’
Roberts and Panettiere joined the “Scream” franchise together in its fourth installment, released in 2011. The film introduced a new group of Woodsboro characters alongside returning franchise stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette.
Panettiere played horror movie expert Kirby Reed, while Roberts portrayed Jill Roberts, the cousin of Campbell’s Sidney Prescott. Both characters became central to the latest Ghostface killing spree, placing the young actresses at the center of the movie’s biggest twists and confrontations.
The project arrived during an important period in both of their careers. Panettiere had already found widespread fame through her role as Claire Bennet on “Heroes.” Roberts, meanwhile, was transitioning from younger projects into more mature film and television roles.
Kirby Reed Became A ‘Scream’ Fan Favorite
Although Emma Roberts did not return to the franchise following “Scream 4,” Hayden Panettiere eventually reprised her role as Kirby Reed. Kirby stood out as a horror-obsessed Woodsboro teenager who could match the franchise’s resident movie experts with her knowledge of genre rules and slasher history.
In “Scream 4,” Kirby was attacked and left bleeding after being betrayed by Charlie Walker, one of the people behind the latest Ghostface murders. The film never explicitly showed her dying, leaving her fate unresolved and prompting years of speculation about whether she had survived.
The franchise quietly answered that question in 2022’s “Scream.” During one scene, a video thumbnail visible on a computer referenced an interview with “Woodsboro survivor Kirby Reed,” confirming that the character had lived through the attack.
Panettiere then made her official onscreen return in 2023’s “Scream VI,” more than a decade after her original appearance. By that point, Kirby had transformed from a teenage horror fan into an FBI agent investigating Ghostface-related attacks. She traveled to New York City after another series of murders placed the surviving Woodsboro characters in danger.
Hayden Panettiere Remembered Bonding With Her Co-Stars
Panettiere later reflected on the friendships she developed during production in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” The actress wrote that she “quickly bonded with most of the young people on set,” a group that included Roberts.
Panettiere remembered filming “Scream 4” as an especially joyful period in her career. “I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much or so hard as I did in those few months,” she wrote.
Hayden Panettiere’s Death Remains Under Investigation
Panettiere was found unresponsive in Greenville on August 16 after an acquaintance contacted emergency services. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Greenville Police Department and Greenville County Coroner’s Office are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. Authorities said their preliminary investigation had not uncovered signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An autopsy also reportedly found no trauma that contributed to Panettiere’s passing.
Her official cause and manner of death remain undetermined.
