A private celebration of life for Hayden Panettiere drew approximately 80 of the actress's closest friends to Malibu on Saturday, September 19, for an evening that mixed music with memories, laughter and tears.
The gathering took place five weeks after Panettiere, a Heroes alum, was found dead at age 36 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16. An official cause of death remains pending.
Invitations went to Panettiere's father, Skip, who attended. Her mother, Lesley Vogel, was invited but could not be present.
Among the high-profile guests were Panettiere's former Nashville costar Connie Britton, along with Evan Ross and Ruby Rose. Those in attendance shared stories and recollections as they reflected on the impact Panettiere had on the people around her.
Sanoe Lake, a close friend of Panettiere, organized the event with help from fellow close friends Alllie Beattie, Emily Buckingham and Kasey Kitchen. The group spoke with Us on Sunday about what they hoped the ceremony would accomplish.
"We wanted to honor Hayden in the best way we knew how: with as much love as possible," the group told Us. "It was a beautiful and intimate ceremony where friends came together to celebrate her life and honor the beautiful, magnetic light and love she infused into the world."
The day opened with a release of doves, a gesture meant to represent peace and freedom, before guests took to a stage to offer personal tributes.
A hula dance performed by Ka'ala Clarke honored Panettiere's deep affection for Hawaii. Additional performances came from Charles Esten and 11-year-old Isabella D'Amore, who sang "Free," a song Panettiere originally performed on Nashville.
The ceremony drew to a close with three bells being rung. A longtime friend of Panettiere led that moment and explained how the symbolic ringing originated as a farewell to fallen soldiers.
A reception followed, where guests were served pizza and salad catered by D'Amore, 42, best known as "Pizza Girl" from Malibu's D'Amore's Famous Pizza chain. A candy bar featured some of Panettiere's favorite sweets, and party favors included keepsake Aviator Nation hats inscribed with her initials.
Panettiere is survived by her parents and her daughter, Kaya, 11, whom she shared with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko.
Klitschko addressed the loss in an Instagram post last month, describing the period as one of deep shock and mourning for the family. He said that although Panettiere was no longer his partner, she remained a significant figure in his life and the mother of their daughter, Kaya. He also noted that she forged a remarkable career through extraordinary ability while confronting the harsher aspects of a highly demanding industry, and said nothing would remove the memories they made together or the role she played in their lives.
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Ava Hart
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