Charles Esten's Emotional Tribute to Hayden Panettiere Sparks Conversations
Charles Esten is breaking his silence after his former Nashville costar Hayden Panettiere died at the age of 36 just days after she reportedly attended one of his shows.
"Patty [Hanson, his wife] and I are stunned and saddened at the loss of our dear and beautiful friend Hayden," Esten, 60, wrote via Instagram on Monday, August 17.
Esten starred alongside Panettiere in the hit ABC series, which aired from 2012 until 2016 and concluded with its final two seasons on CMT from 2016 until 2018. Panettiere starred as rising country music star Juliette Barnes, while Esten portrayed songwriter Deacon Claybourne.
"I will never forget the first time I met her," Esten continued. "In a sound stage office in Hollywood, I was finishing up my very first Nashville audition. I had read two Deacon scenes before pulling out my guitar and singing two songs. I said my goodbyes and, hoping I’d done well, went to open the door to leave. Instead of swinging all the way out, the door bumped into somebody. Kinda hard."
He went on, "To my complete surprise, It was Hayden Panettiere, who — in full Juliette Barnes mode — had been listening with her ear to the door. Instead of looking even a little bit caught, her face instantly bloomed into the most beautiful smile. Eyes twinkling, she clapped her hands and said, 'That was so good!!'"
Esten recalled the way Panettiere supported him in that potentially embarrassing moment.
"I can promise you that in that moment, there was nothing in the world I needed to hear more than that. I told her that, along with my Heroes-watching family, I was already a big fan of hers, and that I was grateful for the very kind words. It was her turn to go in, so as I went to leave, I said a jokingly cocky, 'See you on the set!'”
He added, "I was, of course, many auditions away from landing that incredible role. But when I finally did, and showed up in Nashville to start work, she walked right up to me, pointed in my face, and with that magical grin said, 'See you on the set!'”
Esten recalled that he and the late became "fast friends," often "having fun and laughing a whole lot" in between shooting emotionally charged Nashville scenes.
"She was, of course, extraordinarily talented, infusing her larger-than-life character with all the heart, charisma, humor, whip-smart intelligence, and flat-out magic that were, alongside whatever troubles and pain she carried, a part of her own personal palette," he noted. "What a great gift it was to act with her, sing with her, and to just be her friend. She was always extremely kind to my family, especially my wife, Patty, who I’m certain she liked even more than me."
"Together, we are heartbroken that she is gone, and praying for her family, and for all those who, like us, will miss and mourn her so dearly," he concluded. "God bless you, Hayden. Rest In Peace and Light"
Us previously reported that Panettiere died on Sunday, August 16, at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, from a suspected overdose.
A resident of the building exclusively told Us that a neighbor shared with them that one of Panettiere’s friends was playing at The Foundry on Friday, August 14. The music venue is attached to the apartment building, which was why Panettiere was at the complex. The resident said she was staying at an Airbnb in the complex, and “there was more than one person staying” in the unit.
Esten was booked to perform two nights at the venue as part of his Carolina Tour. Panettiere died one day after his last show at The Foundry.
Authorities in South Carolina confirmed to Us on Monday, August 17, that police responded to reports of an “unresponsive female” at a residence, later identified at Panettiere.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office also confirmed to Us on Monday that an official autopsy had been completed, and there were no signs of trauma that may have contributed to Panettiere’s death.
“On August 16, 2026, at approximately 1:51 PM, a 911 call was received regarding a reported cardiac arrest,” a statement from the Greenville County Coroner’s Office read. “First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest. EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM.”
Esten and Panettiere grew close while working on Nashville, and they remained friends for years after the show wrapped.
Back in 2018, Esten exclusively spoke to Us about his bond with the Ice Princess star, recalling that they'd been "buddies ever since" they started working together.
