Charles Esten Mourns Nashville Costar Hayden Panettiere

Charles Esten has shared an emotional tribute following the death of his former Nashville costar Hayden Panettiere, who died Sunday at age 36 in Greenville, South Carolina.

The 60-year-old actor and musician posted a lengthy remembrance via Instagram on Monday, August 17, reflecting on their friendship that began during auditions for the hit television series.

"Patty [Hanson, his wife] and I are stunned and saddened at the loss of our dear and beautiful friend Hayden," Esten wrote in the social media post.

Esten and Panettiere worked together on Nashville, which ran on ABC from 2012 until 2016 before concluding with two final seasons on CMT through 2018. Panettiere portrayed rising country music star Juliette Barnes, while Esten played songwriter Deacon Claybourne.

In his tribute, Esten recounted their first encounter at a Hollywood sound stage office during his initial Nashville audition. After performing two scenes and singing two songs, he attempted to leave the room.

"Instead of swinging all the way out, the door bumped into somebody. Kinda hard," Esten wrote, according to Us Weekly. "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!!'"

That moment of encouragement proved meaningful to Esten, who told Panettiere he was already a fan from watching Heroes with his family. As she prepared for her own audition, Esten jokingly said he would see her on set. When he eventually secured the role and arrived in Nashville to begin filming, Panettiere greeted him by pointing and repeating his words back to him with what he described as her magical grin.

The two became close friends during production, frequently laughing together between emotionally intense scenes. Esten praised Panettiere's extraordinary talent and the depth she brought to her character.

"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," Esten wrote, according to Us Weekly. "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."

Esten concluded his message by expressing prayers for Panettiere's family and all those mourning her loss.

Panettiere died Sunday, August 16, at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, from a suspected overdose, Us Weekly reported. A resident of the building told Us Weekly that Panettiere had attended a performance at The Foundry on Friday, August 14. The music venue is attached to the apartment building where she was staying in an Airbnb unit.

Esten had performed two nights at The Foundry as part of his Carolina Tour, with his final show taking place Saturday, one day before Panettiere's death.

South Carolina authorities confirmed to Us Weekly on Monday, August 17, that police responded to reports of an unresponsive female at a residence. The Greenville County Coroner's Office stated that a 911 call was received at approximately 1:51 PM on August 16, 2026, regarding a reported cardiac arrest. Emergency Medical Services initiated advanced cardiac life support measures, but resuscitation efforts proved unsuccessful. Panettiere was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM.

An official autopsy has been completed, with the coroner's office confirming no signs of trauma that may have contributed to her death.

Esten and Panettiere maintained their friendship long after Nashville concluded production. In 2018, Esten spoke to Us Weekly about their bond, noting they had been buddies since they first started working together on the series.