Hayden Panettiere's mother says she 'sadly lost her way'

Hayden Panettiere, a 36-year-old actress known for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville", has died. Her ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, said she had left the world too soon and was an important part of his life as well as the mother of their daughter, Kaya. Panettiere's official cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation.

The actress was found in cardiac arrest prior to her death in Greenville, South Carolina, with no signs of trauma discovered during an autopsy. She had struggled with substance abuse and postpartum depression in the past. Klitschko shared a tribute on Instagram, saying their family is going through "profound shock and grief" and that Panettiere's death was tragic.

Panettiere began her career as a child actor and gained widespread recognition for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville", as well as for voicing the character Dot in Pixar's "A Bug's Life". She would have turned 37 on Friday.