Pictured: Hayden Panettiere’s friends Connie Britton and Beverly D’Angelo lead stars paying tribute at Malibu memorial ceremony
Hayden Panettiere was honored by her celebrity friends at a memorial in Malibu, California, on Saturday.
Panettiere’s former Nashville costars Connie Britton, Jonathan Jackson and Sam Palladio attended the celebration of life at Malibu Pacific Church.
Ruby Rose, Beverly D’Angelo, Evan Ross, filmmaker Storm Santos, celebrity colorist Erick Orellana, makeup artist Beau Nelson and other friends and entertainment industry figures were seen in exclusive photos obtained by the Daily Mail.
The gathering began around 5pm outside the church where up to 150 guests ate food from Pizza Girl on a mezzanine.
At around 5:30pm, several doves were released in a symbolic gesture.
The group then moved inside the church for a moving ceremony, where a large photograph of Hayden was displayed alongside the words: ‘Honoring the life & legacy Hayden Panettiere 8.12.89 – 8.16.26.’
Panettiere’s former Nashville co-star Connie Britton attended a celebration of life for Hayden Panettiere at Malibu Pacific Church on Saturday
A large photograph of Hayden was displayed alongside the words: ‘Honoring the life & legacy Hayden Panettiere 8.12.89 – 8.16.26’
During the evening, Nashville actor Jackson was seen in tears as he was comforted by fellow cast member Sam Palladio
Beverly D’Angelo and Ruby Rose were among 150 guests at the memorial
During the evening, Nashville actor Jackson was seen in tears as he was comforted by fellow cast member Palladio.
Security guards were stationed at the entrance to the church throughout the evening, while local Sheriff’s deputies were also in attendance. The celebration of life concluded at around 7.30pm.
A source told TMZ that the gathering was ‘emotional and beautiful.’
A band was set up inside the church and Britton and Charles Esten read speeches.
Esten also performed a song from their show, Nashville.
Panettiere’s mother Leslie Vogel, from whom the actress was estranged, was reportedly not in attendance, while her father Skip was.
Skip was seen wearing a suit with Hawaiian-style lei flowers around his neck.
A source close to Vogel denied that she was invited but told TMZ she couldn’t attend due to a family emergency.
Panettiere’s on–off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach have reacted to being snubbed from the late actress’s memorial.
Evan Ross was at the event where 150 people gathered to honor the actress’ life
Filmmaker Storm Santos, celebrity colorist Erick Orellana, makeup artist Beau Nelson and other friends and entertainment industry figures were seen
The brothers understand why they were not included in Panettiere’s celebration of life, according to TMZ.
Panettiere died one month ago at age 36, after going into cardiac arrest following a suspected overdose in South Carolina, where she was staying at an Airbnb with Brian, 37, and Zach, 38.
Amid the Nashville star’s death, Brian is said to be spiraling and has reportedly lost 40 pounds since Panettiere died.
Last month, detectives confirmed to the Daily Mail that they responded to a 911 call from an ‘acquaintance’ of Panettiere, who described her as ‘unresponsive.’
Narcan, a nasal spray used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, was found on a mattress in the loft apartment where the actress was staying, TMZ previously reported.
Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said that Panettiere’s autopsy has been completed and that no signs of trauma were found on the star’s body.
She had arrived in Greenville with Brian one day earlier.
According to the Greenville Police Department’s incident report, Zach told police that Brian was sleeping in a separate room of the Airbnb when he arrived and found the actress unresponsive in a chair.
Panettiere’s father, Skip (not pictured), was seen wearing a suit with Hawaiian-style lei flowers around his neck
Panettiere’s on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach were snubbed from the late actress’s memorial; pictured in 2018
In the weeks since Panettiere’s shock death, Zach (pictured) and Brian have run into trouble with the law
Zach stated that Brian administered Narcan – a medication that reverses opioid overdoses – and that they performed CPR while communicating with 911 dispatchers.
Earlier this month, Brian and Zach were involved in a bar brawl, leading to the former’s detainment and the latter’s arrest for disorderly conduct.
The brothers had been drinking at Wild Wing Cafe, an eyewitness told TMZ, when other patrons allegedly heckled them over Panettiere’s August 16 death.
Panettiere had a tumultuous on-and-off relationship with Brian beginning in 2018.
Throughout their relationship, he was arrested and charged in connection with domestic abuse multiple times.
In 2021, he pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend, resulting in jail time, probation, domestic violence classes, $500 in restitution, and a five-year protective order, per People.
Zach previously told TMZ in the wake of the actress’s death: ‘There are a lot of assumptions, speculations and accusations currently swirling.
‘The truth will come out as the authorities complete and release additional details from the investigation. And that is important because the people who loved and adored Hayden deserve the truth.’
He described Panettiere as ‘precious’ and said her friends and family should be allowed to mourn her peacefully.
‘At this time, I want to clarify my involvement in effort to keep the focus on the fact that we lost one of the most precious individuals on this earth and to allow those that cared about her to mourn without additional noise, chaos, and misinformation being created and propagated by the media as well as the public,’ he said.
