Hayden Panettiere’s death continues to leave a heartbreaking void in the lives of those who knew and loved her.
And now this week, her former Nashville costar Connie Britton is sharing an emotional glimpse into the private gathering that brought loved ones together to remember the late actress.
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In a cover story published by People on Tuesday, Britton reflected on attending Panettiere’s celebration of life alongside fellow Nashville cast members. And the grief in that room was palpable. As the Friday Night Lights alum put it:
“We all just bawled.”
But amid the tears, Britton has also found comfort in the people who shared a special connection with Panettiere.
She added:
“I’m finding solace and connection within the community of people who still remain.”
The actress also looked back on their time filming Nashville, which ran for six seasons from 2012 to 2018. When Britton moved to Tennessee with her son, Yoby, now 15, she was looking for a support system.
And it was then that Panettiere, as she recalled, offered a particularly sweet kind of kindness:
“I really was looking for my village when I moved there with my tiny baby, and I needed help. Every time Yoby was on set and Hayden was there, she’d just stop everything. Everything became about Yoby. It just felt like sweetness.”
So sweet. And also, so sad…
That memory makes this loss all the more painful. Sometimes, the little moments reveal the most about a person, and Britton’s recollection paints a picture of Panettiere as someone who made others feel cared for.
Of course, as we’ve been reporting, Panettiere was found dead in South Carolina back in August at just 36 years old. Her death was ruled accidental, with the coroner attributing it to the toxic effects of multiple substances.
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Her loved ones gathered for a private celebration of life in Malibu on September 19, with Britton and fellow Nashville star Charles Esten among those in attendance, with Esten even performing in her honor.
Britton had also paid tribute to Panettiere on Instagram shortly after news of her death broke, expressing her heartbreak and love for her former costar.
In the end, it’s clear Hayden touched so many lives. And now, may Britton and the rest of her loved ones find comfort in the memories, the shared tears, and the community that continues to hold her close. Ugh.
[Image via MEGA/WENN]
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