Actor Justin Chatwin Reveals Hayden Panettiere’s Struggles Before Her Death

Justin Chatwin, who co-starred with Hayden Panettiere in her final film Sleepwalker, shared insights into the actress’s difficult last year. Chatwin described Panettiere as "really lonely" during the 2025 filming of the psychological thriller, which was released in January 2026. He revealed she confided in him about her battles with addiction and trauma, noting she was not the same as in earlier years. Chatwin, who has been sober for 15 years, recognized her struggles and said Hollywood often takes a toll on youth.

Sleepwalker centers on a woman coping with the loss of her daughter, a role Panettiere played. Chatwin and Panettiere first met during the TV series Heroes and reconnected on this film. He emphasized her openness about her personal challenges, including addiction and trauma, and described her as sweet and authentic despite her hardships.

Panettiere, mother to 11-year-old Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, had previously shared her struggles with postpartum depression and addiction in her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning. She also discussed traumatic experiences from her teenage years and her bisexuality. In 2018, she transferred full custody of her daughter to her former partner, boxer Wladimir Klitschko.

Panettiere was found dead in her Greenville, South Carolina apartment earlier this month, reportedly from a drug overdose, five days before her 37th birthday. Paramedics attempted resuscitation after a 911 call but she was pronounced dead shortly after. Meanwhile, her last campaign for animal rights group PETA was released just two weeks before her death, featuring her speaking against keeping dolphins and whales in captivity.

Chatwin expressed sadness and frustration over her passing, lamenting the ongoing nature of such tragedies and the lack of adequate support for those struggling with addiction.

Summary: Actor Justin Chatwin revealed that Hayden Panettiere struggled with addiction and trauma during the filming of her last movie Sleepwalker in 2025. She was found dead of a suspected overdose in South Carolina in August 2026, shortly before her 37th birthday. Her final PETA campaign was released two weeks before her death.

Points: - Justin Chatwin described Hayden Panettiere as "really lonely" and struggling with addiction during Sleepwalker filming. - Panettiere confided in Chatwin about her trauma and recovery efforts. - She was found dead from a suspected overdose in Greenville, South Carolina, in August 2026. - Panettiere’s last PETA campaign was released two weeks before her death. - She had publicly shared her battles with postpartum depression and addiction in her memoir. - Chatwin expressed anger and sadness over the ongoing addiction crisis in Hollywood.

Topic: culture israel_relevant: false Entities: {"people":["Hayden Panettiere","Justin Chatwin","Kaya Evdokia Klitschko","Wladimir Klitschko"],"organizations":["PETA"],"places":["Greenville","South Carolina"]}