Jack Coleman from Heroes ‘Devastated’ About Hayden Panettiere

Jack Coleman, who portrayed Hayden Panettiere’s father in Heroes, is sharing his sorrow following her passing at the age of 36.

“I’m heartbroken. I couldn’t even begin to articulate my feelings until now, and words will never suffice,” Coleman, 68, stated via Instagram on Wednesday, August 19.

He remarked, “I’ve loved Hayden since the very first pilot of Heroes, 20 years ago, when she greeted me by yelling ‘daddy’ and wrapping her arms around me. From that moment, she called me daddio. She was Haydini, a true magician.”

“She possessed extraordinary talent. During an early scene, I watched as a tear streamed down her cheek, take after take,” Coleman reminisced. “I admired her skill. ‘It’s not technique,’ she corrected me. ‘I’m not a trained seal. I feel it, and the tears simply come at that moment.’ She was just 16.”

Coleman also reflected on the overwhelming media scrutiny Panettiere faced after Heroes gained popularity.

“By the age of 17, she was ranked #1 on IMDB Pro. She faced relentless, intrusive questions, often some variation of ‘when are you going to go off the rails?’ Today, we would recognize those inquiries as misogynistic provocations,” he wrote.

“She was pursued. Wherever she went, there were photographers with 300-millimeter lenses — the kind that can make the most innocent activity appear sinister,” Coleman explained. “On one occasion, when she visited our home, paparazzi hid in the bushes behind our yard and trespassed onto neighbors’ lawns. They were predatory. No one, especially a teenager, should be targeted in that manner.”

Coleman expressed that he is overwhelmed with “sorrow and regret,” but also “anger.” He noted, “But that’s a discussion for another time. Right now, I want to celebrate an extraordinary young woman who was both blessed and cursed. She was vulnerable. She felt everything. It made her an exceptional actress and susceptible to the heartache and the countless trials that life brings.”

“I love you, Hayden. I’ll miss you dearly. I’m so sorry you endured so much. I’ll cherish the memories of how joyful you were on set and during the European press tour; how you supported [Coleman’s daughter] Tess when she faced bullying; [and] your dedication to animal welfare and the bravery you showed to protect them,” he wrote. “I only wish you had received that same protection.”

“Goodnight, sweet girl. And may flights of angels guide you to your rest,” the actor concluded.

Panettiere was discovered unresponsive in an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, August 16. She was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy performed by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office revealed no evidence of trauma that might have contributed to her death.

“It is with deep sadness that we share the tragic news of our beloved Hayden’s passing. She was an incredible light and a force of nature, bringing immense love and joy to all who knew her — as well as to the millions who admired her onscreen,” said the actress’ father, Skip Panettiere, in a statement to Us on Sunday. “We request privacy as our family takes time to cope with this unimaginable loss.”