New details have emerged from the private Malibu ceremony honoring the life and legacy of Hayden Panettiere.
Us exclusively learned that the intimate celebration, held Saturday, September 19, brought together around 80 of the late actress’ closest friends for an evening of music, memories, laughter and tears.
Invitations to the event were extended to Panettiere’s father, Skip, who was in attendance, however, Panettiere’s mom, Lesley Vogel, was invited and unable to attend.
The event was staged five weeks after the Heroes alum was found dead at age 36 in a Greenville, South Carolina, residence on August 16. An official cause of death is pending.
The ceremony, which was attended by several high-profile guests including Panettiere’s former Nashville costar Connie Britton, Evan Ross and Ruby Rose, saw guests sharing stories and memories as they reflected on Panettiere’s lasting impact on others.
Sanoe Lake, a close friend to Panettiere, arranged the event with assistance from fellow close friends Alllie Beattie, Emily Buckingham and Kasey Kitchen. The group spoke to Us on Sunday about their intentions. “We wanted to honor Hayden in the best way we knew how: with as much love as possible,” the group told Us. “It was a beautiful and intimate ceremony where friends came together to celebrate her life and honor the beautiful, magnetic light and love she infused into the world.”
Fellow friends Barbara Adler, Caroline D’Amore and Jeff Beacher were also part of the event’s planning.
The day began with a release of doves to symbolize peace and freedom, before guests took to a stage to share personal tributes.
A hula dance performance by Ka’ala Clarke paid homage to the late actress’ deep love for Hawaii. There were additional performances by Charles Esten and 11-year-old Isabella D’Amore, who sang “Free,” a song originally performed by Panettiere on Nashville.
The ceremony concluded with the ringing of three bells, led by a longtime friend of Panettiere who spoke about the symbolic ringing’s origin as a farewell to fallen soldiers.
A reception followed the ceremony, and offered guests a spread of pizza and salad catered by D’Amore, 42, who is best known as “Pizza Girl” from Malibu’s D’Amore’s Famous Pizza chain. A candy bar also included some of Panettiere’s favorite sweets.
Party favors were also distributed, with guests receiving keepsake Aviator Nation hats that featured Panettiere’s initials inscribed on them.
Panettiere is survived by her parents and daughter, Kaya, 11, whom she shared with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko.
“Our family going through a time of profound shock and grief. … Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya,” Klitschko wrote via Instagram last month. “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.”
