McGowan starred in the first “Scream” film in 1996, while Panettiere appeared in both 2011’s “Scream 4” and 2022’s “Scream VI.”

Rose McGowan urges ‘don’t put kids in show business’ after fellow Scream series star Hayden Panettiere’s death

McGowan starred in the first “Scream” film in 1996, while Panettiere appeared in both 2011’s “Scream 4” and 2022’s “Scream VI.”

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August 21, 2026 2:34 p.m. ET

Rose McGowan in ‘Scream’; Hayden Panettiere in ‘Scream 4’. Credit:

- *Scream* star Rose McGowan mourned fellow franchise actress Hayden Panettiere’s death at age 36.

- The actress urged, “Don’t put kids in show business” in an emotional Instagram video.

- “None of this is normal,” McGowan noted.

*Scream* star Rose McGowan has shared an emotional tribute to fellow horror franchise actress Hayden Panettiere following the latter’s death last weekend at age 36.

McGowan, who appeared in the supporting role of Tatum in the 1996 *Scream* slasher, paid tribute to Panettiere in an Instagram post lamenting the actress’ death and calling for action against how children are treated in the entertainment industry.

“Rest in Power Hayden Paniettiere [sic],” McGowan, 52, wrote in text that showed over a video of ocean water lapping on the shore of a beach.

Panettiere’s death sparked a number of celebrity reactions, ranging from *Batwoman* actress Ruby Rose to* **21 Jump Street*’s Holly Robinson Peete, to those who worked with Panettiere, such as her fellow *Custody* star Viola Davis, Panettiere’s *Heroes* dad Jack Coleman, and the actress’ longtime *Nashville* costar Connie Britton.

She continued, “Don’t put kids in show business. None of this is normal. May her spirit be free of those who orchestrated.”

Panettiere began her career as a child star, appearing in roles on the daytime soap opera *Guiding Light *as well as in *A Bug’s Life*, *Remember the Titans*, and more before becoming a superstar at the center of the hit NBC thriller *Heroes*.

The actress additionally found success in the *Scream* movie series, first portraying teenager Kirby Reed in Wes Craven’s 2011 sequel *Scream 4*. Though her character’s fate was left ambiguous by the end of the film, it was ultimately revealed in 2023’s *Scream VI** *that* *Kirby survived an intense stab wound and went on to become an FBI special agent.

*CBS Mornings* anchor Gayle King — who interviewed Panettiere on the air for the last time in May — also spoke out against Panettiere’s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, in recent days. The host called Vogel’s initial NBC News statement about her daughter’s death “sad” before adding, “You know, guys, you read this and all I can think is, ‘Thanks, Mom, for nothing.’”

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Peete echoed the sentiment, writing on social media: “There were so many things she could have said to show us that she was a caring mother… And now both of her children are gone. It is all so tragic. RIP Hayden.” (Peete’s statement referenced the death of Panettiere’s younger brother, Jansen, who died in 2023.)

Vogel initially spoke on her daughter’s death in a statement that criticized Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, adding, “I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments and I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry — it is a struggle and it’s a very challenging industry and it’s not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path.” (**’s attempts to contact Vogel were unsuccessful.)

After backlash to her first statement, Vogel said in a follow-up statement to *Entertainment Tonight*: “Although my daughter and I were estranged, it was not for lack of care or love,” and that, “It was due to the involvement of a toxic individual who I believe led to her death.”

Hayden Panettiere returns as Kirby Reed in ‘Scream VI’.

Vogel continued, “Hayden was a beautiful and talented young woman who unfortunately became involved with the wrong person, and although her family tried to extricate him from her life, we were unable to be successful.”

Panettiere’s mother didn’t name Hickerson outright, though she has long been critical of him. In 2021, Hickerson pleaded no contest to felony counts related to injuring a spouse/cohabitant/coparent, and spent time in jail over the matter. An attorney for Hickerson pointed out that authorities discovered no signs of foul play while investigating Panettiere’s death, which is ongoing.

Though Panettiere had been open in recent years about her struggles with alcohol and opioids, she appeared optimistic about her future in a series of interviews she did to promote her book, *This Is Me*, in May. She told Jay Shetty on his podcast that she felt she had much more life to live during a tearful discussion in which she reflected on her past.

In her final EW interview, Panettiere said of *This Is Me* that “this was the first project where there was nobody there to direct me or give me real guidance,” and that she “just had to have a lot of trust in myself” while crafting the tell-all.

Hayden Panettiere at the ‘Blonde’ premiere in Hollywood in 2022.

Jon Kopaloff/Getty

Panettiere was found unresponsive at an apartment in Greenville, S.C. on Sunday, with a coroner’s report obtained by EW indicating that first responders arrived on the scene at a luxury apartment complex following a call for help at around 2 p.m. local time. The star was found unresponsive at the residence, with the coroner noting that there weren’t any signs of trauma on Panettiere’s body that would’ve contributed to death.

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“The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies. This investigation remains active and ongoing,” the statement read. “No further details are available for release at this time.”

*If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at **988lifeline.org** 24/7.*

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