Following the Kingdom Hearts 25th anniversary celebrations at Disney’s D23 fan event last week, a very sad announcement has been made. Hayden Panettiere, who voiced Kairi in the first two Kingdom Hearts games, has died at the age of 36.
As reported by the BBC, The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said crews treated a woman in “cardiac arrest” on Sunday, but her autopsy showed “no signs of trauma”. Panettiere’s father shared the tragic news, with the family asking for privacy during this difficult period:
It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden.
She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her and to the millions who watched her onscreen.
Square Enix and Disney have shared an official message acknowledging the passing of the talented actor, singer and VA via the Kingdom Hearts social media pages. Panettiere also voiced Xion in the same series.
Kingdom Hearts: We are deeply saddened by the passing of Hayden Panettiere.
Through her performance as Kairi, Hayden brought warmth, heart, and an unforgettable voice to the Kingdom Hearts series.
Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and loved ones.
Beyond the Kingdom Hearts series, Panettiere was known for her role in the PlayStation 4 title, Until Dawn. Outside of video game voice work, she starred in movies, animations, and television shows such as Heroes and Nashville.
On behalf of the community here at Nintendo Life, our thoughts go out to Hayden’s family and friends.