MLB star Pete Crow-Armstrong previously opened up about his surprising connection to the late Hayden Panettiere. Crow-Armstrong, a standout center fielder for the Chicago Cubs, revealed in 2022 that he met Panettiere through his mom, Ashley Crow, who once starred in the series “Heroes” alongside Panettiere.
Crow-Armstrong, 24, revealed in a 2022 interview with NBC Chicago that he met Panettiere when he was younger through his mom. In fact, Panettiere, who played Claire in “Heroes,” used to babysit the major league baseball player. “I had the biggest crush on her. Yeah, I’d say she was probably the coolest one for me,” Crow-Armstrong said.
Crow-Armstrong said that he enjoyed being around some of the older actors and the rest of his mom’s co-stars. Even then, he stated that his parents tried to keep him as shielded from life in the spotlight as possible. “Nothing about my childhood had anything to do with the entertainment business, it felt like, because I think my parents wanted me as far away as possible,” he said.
Hayden Panettiere Died At Age 36
Crow-Armstrong’s comments have resurfaced after Panettiere died suddenly on Sunday, August 16. According to The Blast, the “Remember the Titans” star was pronounced dead at a residence in South Carolina after first responders were called to a home about an “unresponsive” person.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen,” a statement from her team read.
Hayden Panettiere Suffered Cardiac Arrest
First responders and officials are waiting to share more details about Panettiere’s death. However, medics shared that when they arrived on the scene, they found Panettiere in cardiac arrest. According to CNN, dispatch audio referenced a potential overdose. Even then, nothing has been confirmed yet.
According to several reports from The Blast, Panettiere spent the last few months promoting her book, “This Is Me,” in which she details her struggles with addiction. In 2023, she told a publication that she used alcohol as a “coping mechanism” after dealing with postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya.
“Alcohol might make you feel better at that moment, but it makes you feel so much worse the next day, and then you do it all over again,” she said. Later, Panettiere said that she also used medication to help manage her depression, which she described as “extreme hopelessness.” Panettiere said that she should’ve “gone on antidepressants,” but said she used what worked. “They don’t mix well with alcohol, and I wasn’t ready to stop drinking,” she shared.
Panettiere’s Mother Said She Believes Her Daughter Is At ‘Peace’ With Her Brother
Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, released a statement after her daughter’s death and reflected on the challenges that the “Bring It On” actress had navigating the world of Hollywood.
“I think it becomes very difficult to be true to yourself, and I think Hayden sadly lost her way, and I wish it were different. I wish she had stayed true to herself because she had many incredible attributes,” she shared.
Continuing, Vogel said she feels her daughter is “at peace” with her younger brother, Jansen, who died at 28 in 2023.
Tributes Pour In For Panettiere
Panettiere’s Hollywood peers have all rushed to social media over the last several days to share their tributes and pay their respects to the late actress. Solange Knowles shared a series of pictures on her Instagram Stories and wished her former co-star peace.
“I salute your journey, and I honor the work we created together that became something that really means something to people. Reaching people we couldn’t have ever imagined at the time, as two young girls trying to keep looking to the light. The light surrounds you now. Rest easy, Hayden,” she said.
