By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-19 14:17:06 | Updated at 2026-08-20 06:04:40
16 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere used to babysit baseball's Pete Crow-Armstrong in a bizarre connection that has resurfaced in the wake of the actress' tragic death.
Panettiere, who rose to fame in the TV shows 'Heroes' and 'Nashville' while battling struggles with alcohol addiction and depression, passed away at the age of 36.
According to police, she was found unresponsive in an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday afternoon.
It is a tragedy that has rocked Hollywood and among Panettiere's co-stars on 'Heroes' was Ashley Crow, the mother of Chicago Cubs center fielder.
She played Sandra Bennet, who was the adoptive mother to Panettiere's character, Claire Bennet. Away from the cameras, however, it was the late Hollywood star who helped out with childcare.
'Hayden Panettiere babysat me. I had the biggest crush on her,' Crow-Armstrong told NBC Chicago back in 2022.
Late actress Hayden Panettiere used to babysit Chicago Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong
Panettiere (L) starred alongside the baseball star's mother, Ashley Crow (C), in 'Heroes'
'I liked being around the older actors, and I liked being babysat by my mom's co-stars and whatnot... I'd say she was probably the coolest one for me.'
Crow-Armstrong's father, Matthew John Armstrong, was also an actor who appeared in shows such as 'Turks' and 'Heroes.'
The Cubs star grew up in Los Angeles but supported Chicago as a kid. His mother also starred in the 1994 movie 'Little Big League' and Crow-Armstrong once said: 'I love that movie, regardless of my mom being in it'
Panettiere, meanwhile, was previously engaged to boxing legend Wladimir Klitschko and on Tuesday he spoke out for the first time about her death.
They had a daughter together, Kaya, and in 2018 Panettiere signed full custody to her ex amid her battle with postpartum depression and addiction.
Klitschko moved their daughter to his native Ukraine. 'Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief,' he wrote on Tuesday.
'The announcement of Hayden's tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon. Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya.
Panettiere alongside Ashley Crow and Matthew John Armstrong, the Cubs star's father
'She built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry. Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives.
'To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was.
'I extend my deepest condolences to Hayden's parents, her friends, and her fans, who are also grieving today.
'Young and talented people like Hayden should not leave this world so soon... Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace.'
