Hayden Panettiere Was ‘Clearly Still Struggling’ 3 Months Before Her Death, Says Gayle King

The actress was found dead at a home in South Carolina on Sunday, Aug. 16 at age 36

NEED TO KNOW

• Hayden Panettiere died on Sunday, Aug. 16, at age 36 in South Carolina
• On CBS Mornings on Aug. 17, Gayle King reflected on her final interview with the actress in May, ahead of the release of Panettiere’s memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning
• Panettiere was “clearly still struggling” at the time, King said, calling the news of her death “heartbreaking”

Gayle King is reflecting on her time with Hayden Panettiere just three months before the actress’ death.

Panettiere died on Sunday, Aug. 16, at age 36. Her representative confirmed the news and shared a statement on behalf of the star’s father, Alan Panettiere, who said, “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. 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.”

An unidentified friend of the actress called 911 on Sunday and reported an “unresponsive” female. An official cause of death has not yet been released, but officials were heard discussing an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” around the time of Panettiere’s death, according to dispatch audio obtained by PEOPLE.

On CBS Mornings on Monday, Aug. 17, King reported on the “heartbreaking news” as she said she “felt so, so sad.”

“It was hard when she was here that day,” King said, referring to a May interview she conducted with Panettiere ahead of the release of her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning. The memoir gave fans “an unprecedented glimpse” into Panettiere’s personal life, career and her years-long struggles with alcoholism and addiction.

“When she was here in the studio that day, and I was talking to her off-camera, she was saying she felt that she was in a good place,” the anchor shared.

According to King, Panettiere said that “her daughter meant everything to her, and giving up [custody of] her daughter to her dad was one of the hardest things, but she thought that was what was best for her daughter.” The actress was mom to 11-year-old Kaya with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko.

“But she was still, clearly still struggling. To wake up to hear this news was really tough,” King added. “She was so good. She would’ve turned 37 on Friday.”

During the May interview, Panettiere told King she was the “rawest version of myself that I’ve ever been” and still “overwhelmed by the subject matter. It doesn’t get easier.”

At the time, Panettiere reflected on moving through her struggles with therapy and trying to “do the work.” She said she wanted to “share with the world that they don’t have to be afraid … that they can be imperfect.”

“How are you today?” King asked Panettiere during the May sitdown. The actress said she was “still working on myself all the time … I’m better, healthier than I’ve been in a long time.”

Panettiere’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed. A spokesperson for the Greenville Police Department said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that police and EMS personnel responded to a 911 call around 1:50 p.m. local time on Sunday.

“Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene,” the spokesperson said. 

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“The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office,” the spokesperson continued. “The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.

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