Taylor Swift Was ‘Deeply Saddened’ by Hayden Panettiere’s Sudden Death After Their Surprising Connection

Taylor Swift was “deeply saddened” by the sudden death of Hayden Panettiere at 36, according to a source who spoke exclusively to Page Six.

The singer and actress shared a friendly connection that began when both lived in the same Nashville apartment complex.

“Taylor and Hayden were always friendly with each other and had a really nice rapport,” the source said.

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“They lived in the same apartment complex in Nashville for a while and would cross paths from time to time.”

The insider said Swift was shocked after learning Panettiere had died. “She was deeply saddened to hear what happened.”

Both stars lived at The Adelicia in Nashville while Panettiere was in Tennessee filming the ABC series “Nashville.” Swift, 36, purchased a penthouse in the building in 2009.

Panettiere moved into the complex in 2012 after relocating to the city for the show. Their time as neighbors eventually resulted in a memorable favor from Swift.

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During a 2012 appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Panettiere recalled that she was preparing for a songwriting session with songwriter Jessi Alexander. However, the actress discovered that she had left her guitar in her trailer.

Panettiere contacted several women to ask whether anyone had a guitar she could use.

“Finally, Taylor Swift came through for me.”

Two of Swift’s security guards brought the guitar down to Panettiere. The actress also had to complete a form before borrowing it.

“It was very intense,” Panettiere said of the unusual process.

Swift also discussed her connection with Panettiere while promoting her “Red” album in 2012. The Woody & Jim Show asked the singer during an interview whether she watched “Nashville.”

“Well, Hayden is a friend of mine and she’s my neighbor actually,” Swift responded during the interview. She also recalled their humorous first meeting.

“I remember the first time I ever met her, she came up and she was like, ‘I just need you to know, my character is not based on you.’ It was so hilarious,” Swift said.

According to the source, the warm feelings between Swift and Panettiere extended in both directions. Panettiere reportedly remained supportive of Swift throughout the years.

“Hayden always spoke very highly of Taylor and was supportive of her, and there was always a mutual respect between them,” the insider told Page Six.

The pair also encountered each other beyond their shared Nashville apartment building. The source said the pop superstar and the Golden Globe nominee “saw each other at different events over the years and always got along really well.”

Among those occasions was the Teen Choice Awards on July 22, 2012, where Swift and Panettiere were photographed together. Representatives for Swift or Panettiere did not respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.

Panettiere died Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina, her family confirmed. Authorities went to a South Carolina Airbnb that day following a report of an unresponsive woman in cardiac arrest after a suspected overdose.

An incident report obtained by Page Six said efforts were made to save Panettiere, but they were unsuccessful. Her cause of death has not been officially determined.

The coroner is awaiting toxicology results before determining the cause and manner of Panettiere’s death. Her father, Skip Panettiere, announced the tragic news in a statement shared by the family.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” he said.

He described his daughter as “an incredible light and a force of nature” who brought immeasurable love and joy to those who knew her and the millions who watched her onscreen.

Skip asked for privacy as the family processes what he called an “unimaginable loss.” Panettiere is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, and her parents.

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