In memoriam
Hayden Panettiere, 1989–2026
Hayden Panettiere died on 16 August 2026, at 36. Most of the world knew her from Heroes and Nashville — but for a generation of players, she was part of two of gaming's most beloved stories.
Sam — Until Dawn
In Supermassive's 2015 horror classic she played Samantha Giddings — face, voice and performance — the steady heart of Blackwood Mountain and, for many players, the one who made it to dawn. It remains one of the defining performances of the narrative-horror era, and one of the most platinumed games in the genre.
Kairi & Xion — Kingdom Hearts
Years earlier, she was the original English voice of Kairi in Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II, and of Xion in 358/2 Days — the heart of a series about hearts. With Kingdom Hearts back in the spotlight this week, the timing lands especially hard for the community that grew up with her voice.
Her characters were about making it through the night and holding on to the people you love. To everyone replaying Until Dawn or hearing Kairi's early lines again this week — that's a fitting way to remember her.
Reported by The Hollywood Reporter and ABC News, 16–17 August 2026.