Aerosmith's Steven Tyler Mourns Loss of Hayden Panettiere

Steven Tyler expressed shock and grief over the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, whom he described as a dear friend after the two worked together on the ABC series Nashville.

The Aerosmith frontman was approached by photographers on Tuesday and initially appeared reluctant to speak. However, when Panettiere's name was mentioned, Tyler opened up about their relationship, according to TMZ.com. The two formed a close bond during Tyler's guest appearances on the popular television series, where he portrayed himself.

Panettiere died on Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina, after being found unresponsive inside an Airbnb residence. According to TMZ.com, the actress was discovered in a chair in the living room suffering cardiac arrest. Her boyfriend Brian was asleep in a separate room at the time, while his brother Zach entered the residence and found Panettiere.

Emergency responders arrived at the Sunday afternoon scene and attempted life-saving measures, but the actress could not be revived. She was pronounced dead a short time later.

The news has prompted an outpouring of grief across social media platforms, with fans and celebrities expressing shock and heartbreak over the loss. Tyler's public comments add to the growing number of tributes honoring the actress, who gained fame for her roles in television and film.

The circumstances surrounding Panettiere's death remain under investigation by South Carolina authorities. No additional details about the cause of the cardiac arrest have been released at this time.