Justin Chatwin, who starred alongside Hayden Panettiere in the psychological thriller 'Sleepwalker,' says she was 'struggling' and 'really lonely' on what became her final film.
Chatwin told People that the two grew close while filming in 2025 because she was so authentic with him.
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He explained, '[Actors are] trained to be on, and I really liked spending time with her because she took that off, and she was authentic with me about her life and she opened up about her struggles with addiction.'
The Canadian actor first met Hayden during her 'Heroes' days in the mid-2000s, then reconnected on 'Sleepwalker,' a film about domestic abuse, something she had personally experienced.
Chatwin said he 'could tell she was struggling' and added, 'I was like, I don't think it's this movie.'
He reflected, 'There's a handful of women that I've worked with that I really liked, and I really loved working with her, but I also know that she was really lonely.'
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He also noted, 'Hayden seemed different when I met her this time than when I met her in the early years.'
Chatwin, who has been sober for 15 years, said, 'I know this world of addiction, and Hollywood -- it takes, and it takes from youth.'
Hayden had been open about her mental health and substance abuse issues, even giving up custody of her daughter with Wladimir Klitschko to focus on her health.
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She also had a history of domestic violence incidents with her on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson.
TMZ learned that Hayden and Brian were back together but hiding their relationship at the time of her death.
Hayden was found unresponsive in a South Carolina apartment on Sunday and pronounced dead after medics attempted to revive her.
Dispatch audio mentioned a possible overdose, and preliminary autopsy results show no signs of trauma.
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Her body is ready to be released to family, and no funeral arrangements have been announced.