United Kingdom, Aug. 17 -- Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36.

The Heroes actress - who had 11-year-old Kaya with former fiance Wladimir Klitschko - was hailed an "incredible light and a force of nature" by her devastated father Alan Panettiere, who announced she had passed away on Sunday (16.08.26).

Alan said in a statement shared by Hayden's representative: "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."

Her father asked for privacy "as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss."

The circumstances surrounding the Nash...