Hayden Panettiere “moved a little slower for her age” on the set of her final film, 2026’s “Sleepwalker,” according to her co-star Lori Tan Chinn.
“Hayden was careful not to injure herself on set, moved a little slower for her age, but did not mention back pain or hurting,” Chinn exclusively told Page Six.
Chinn, best known for her performance as Mei Chang in “Orange is the New Black,” added that Panettiere “was a sweetheart” and stressed how much she enjoyed working with the late “Heroes” star.
The comments come after Page Six exclusively reportedthat Panettiere suffered from “really severe” health issues in the months leading up to her death, according to her hairdresser and good friend, Erick Orellana.
“I know she suffered earlier this year with her back,” Orellana told Page Six, adding, “At one point, it was even hard for her to move her legs.”
Her health struggles weren’t the only thing weighing on Panettiere while she filmed “Sleepwalker.”
Co-star Justin Chatwin told People that the actress was “lonely” and “struggling” on the set of her final movie.
Other “Sleepwalker” cast and crew paint a picture of a kind and compassionate presence on set. “She gave so much of herself to her work and to the people around her,” Chad Verdi, CEO of Verdi Productions, which produced “Sleepwalker,” told Page Six. “She cared deeply about every aspect of the production and every individual on set, especially the child actors, often keeping a watchful eye on them based on her own experiences growing up as a young actress in the industry.” “I had such a wonderful experience with her on the set of Sleepwalker…We had so many nice conversations,” Marissa Sawaia, the makeup department head on “Sleepwalker,” told Page Six. “I especially remember how much she would light up whenever she talked about her daughter. You could just see how much she loved her.”
Panettiere passed away Sunday from an apparent overdose. She had been open about her past struggles with alcoholand substance abuse. According to the autopsy released by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, “No signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death.” The case is currently being investigated by the Greenville County Police Department, police have stated, “The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.”
Panettiere and Hickerson had a tumultuous relationship that included multiple domestic violence arrests, with the actress obtaining a restraining order against him in 2020. The “Remember the Titans” star was seen in March exiting a plane with Hickerson while using crutches, months before her death. Page Six was told that Panettiere reconnected with her ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson two weeks before her death.
Hickerson, who was on the scene with his brother when she died, was denied a request to reduce his felony domestic violence charges on Friday.
If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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