Former co-star recalls Hayden Panettiere's talent and resilience before her death
Beth Chamberlin, who acted with Hayden Panettiere on "Guiding Light," said she believed the actress would overcome personal difficulties and be remembered for her acting skill after Panettiere was found dead at 36.
Beth Chamberlin, who played Panettiere’s mother on the 1990s soap opera "Guiding Light," told Fox News Digital that she had long believed the actress would navigate her personal challenges and emerge as a stronger performer.
"When I would hear about some of the troubled times that she was going through, I would think to myself, ‘She’s gonna get through this, and watch out world,’" Chamberlin said, adding that she expected Panettiere’s future work to be notable.
Panettiere, known for roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," was found unresponsive in a Greenville, South Carolina home on Aug. 16. Police reports indicate her on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother called 911 and later provided a bag of medication believed to belong to Panettiere.
The actress’s mother, Lesley Vogel, has publicly questioned Hickerson’s influence, describing him as a "toxic individual" who she believes contributed to her daughter’s death. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office reported no signs of trauma in the preliminary autopsy, and the investigation remains ongoing with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Chamberlin reflected on Panettiere’s professional abilities, noting the demands of multi-camera soap opera production and praising the actress’s capacity to deliver extensive dialogue in a single take. She expressed a desire for the public to remember Panettiere primarily for her acting talent.