Actress Hilary Duff has paid emotional tribute to Hayden Panettiere following the former child star's death on Sunday at the age of 36.
Panettiere died on August 16, with initial reports attributing her death to cardiac arrest caused by a substance overdose.
Writing on Instagram on Tuesday, Duff remembered their past friendship when both were young rising stars navigating early fame in Hollywood.
Instagram tribute to Hayden Panettiere
Duff wrote that hearing the news was hard, adding that although they had lost touch over the years, she would always remember Panettiere as a hard-working person full of vitality with a big, wonderful smile.
The actress recalled the moments they shared decades ago as child stars starting out in entertainment, describing staying up late to talk and gossip.
She added that they felt bonded because they belonged to a very small group of people who could truly understand the strange reality of the life they were trying to navigate.
Duff noted that during that period they were young and had no real idea how to make sense of everything happening around them.
She concluded her post by wishing that this had not been the end for Panettiere, sending her love to Panettiere's family, the many people she impacted, and everyone who loved her, before wishing that she rest in peace.
Early careers and rise to fame
Both actresses began their careers as child stars around the same period. Duff starred in the television series Lizzie McGuire starting in 2001, as well as films including Cheaper by the Dozen in 2003 and A Cinderella Story in 2004.
Panettiere gained early recognition through roles in soap operas such as One Life to Live and Guiding Light, as well as the 2000 film Remember the Titans.
Reactions following Panettiere's death
Following her death, Panettiere's mother stated that her daughter was now with her late brother and that they had found peace.
Her ex-fiancé expressed shock over her passing, stating that he would ensure their daughter remembers the person her mother was.
Reports also noted that an ex-partner of Panettiere was present at the location where she died, where he showed responding police officers a bag of medication.
