Hayden Panettiere's Heroes co-stars reunite for a 'deeply emotional' celebration to mark 'the lasting impact of a life that touched so many'

Hayden Panettiere's Heroes co-stars have reunited to celebrate her life after the star's tragic death earlier this month. 

The actress died aged 36 on August 16 after she was found unresponsive in cardiac arrest after a suspected drug overdose at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina.

And to honour her death her co-stars gathered to share their memories of Hayden in a 'deeply emotional' celebration. 

Taking to Twitter, Jimmy Jean-Louis, who played The Haitian in the hit superhero series, shared a snap of the cast all beaming together, while a few co-stars even tuned in over Zoom. 

He penned: 'A HEROES reunion to celebrate the life of HAYDEN was deeply emotional. 

'There was sadness in our hearts, but also so much love, gratitude, and warmth as we remembered the beautiful moments shared and the lasting impact of a life that touched so many. Au revoir Hayden.'

Heroes appeared on the box for four seasons, taking home several major awards, including a Television Critics Association Award for Programme of the Year, a BAFTA TV Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for its stunt ensemble.

The series, which aired 77 episodes, told the stories of ordinary people who discover that they have superhuman abilities.

Becoming a breakout star at just 17, Hayden played Claire Bennet in NBC’s Heroes, the teenager with extraordinary regenerative powers. 

Her on-screen father in the show Jack Coleman previously penned a tribute to the late star as he wrote: 'I love you, Hayden. I’ll miss you. I’m so sorry you suffered. 

'I’ll remember how happy you were on set and on the European press tour; how you championed Tess when she was being bullied; your commitment to animal welfare and the courage to put yourself in harm’s way to protect them. I only wish you had been given that same protection.'

Meanwhile Masi Oka, who played Hiro Nakamura, wrote: 'Absolutely heartbroken to hear about Hayden. I had the privilege of working closely with her, and I’ll always remember her for her beautiful spirit, immense talent, and the joyful energy she brought to everything she did and the people around her.

'She was way wiser beyond her years and now gone too soon… My heart goes out to her family and everyone who loved her. Rest in peace, Hayden.'

A slew of Hollywood celebrities have paid heartbreaking tributes to Hayden.

Emma Roberts, 35, who starred alongside Hayden in Scream IV in 2011, shared a photo of herself kissing the actress on the head, captioned, 'rest in peace my sweet friend. you are so loved and you will be forever missed.'

Sex and The City icon Kim Cattrall, who starred with Panettiere and the late Michelle Trachtenberg in 2005 film, Ice Princess, wrote: 'Rest in peace sweet Hayden. Gone far too soon.'

Hayden's Nashville co-star Connie Britton shared a montage of photos of the pair on the set, writing, 'This was Hayden. Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright.

'I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak. I love you girl. Sleep easy now.'

Selma Blair, 54, commented on Hayden's final Instagram post shortly after the Nashville star was revealed to have died over the weekend at just 36.

'I love you. Don't be gone. Don't be gone. Please. Please,' an anguished Blair wrote under a photo Panettiere had shared on July 27.

'I love you whale tail my friend,' Blair wrote in another comment 11 minutes later.

Hayden was found unresponsive in a South Carolina apartment last week and was later declared dead.  

Her on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were both at the scene when Panettiere was pronounced dead. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has joined the probe into the actress's death.

Greenville Police and the coroner's office are running parallel investigations, TMZ reported on Wednesday.

The DEA's reported involvement aligns with paramedics reporting a suspected overdose over dispatch calls. First responders located Narcan, a nasal spray used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose, inside the Greenville, South Carolina, apartment where Panettiere died.

It is still not known if narcotics contributed to her death, as toxicology results are pending.