Kuala Lampur, Aug. 16 -- LOS ANGELES, Aug 17 - Actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in the television series Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36, according to ABC News.

Her representative confirmed her death, while her father, Skip Panettiere, described her as "an incredible light and a force of nature" in a statement.

"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," he was quoted as saying.

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

Further details about Panettiere's death were ...