By SAMEER SURI, US SENIOR SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER and EVE BUCKLAND
Published: 20:49 BST, 22 August 2026 | Updated: 20:52 BST, 22 August 2026
X-Men actress Anna Paquin has launched a blistering condemnation of Hollywood's treatment of underage talent, as she mourned the untimely deaths of her fellow former child stars Hayden Panettiere, Daveigh Chase and Michelle Trachtenberg.
The broadside comes after Panettiere was found dead aged 36 of a suspected overdose last Sunday at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina, where she had traveled with her on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson, a native of the state.
Hickerson, who conducted a turbulent romance with Panettiere and once went to jail for abusing her, was on the scene along with his brother Zachary when she was pronounced dead, according to a newly released police report. Her autopsy found 'no signs of trauma' that 'would have contributed to the death.'
Paquin, 44, who began acting at nine and won an Oscar aged 11 for her role in Jane Campion's 1993 period drama The Piano, reacted to the news on Instagram this Friday on what would have been Panettiere's 37th birthday.
'It’s not a coincidence that so many former, specifically presexualized female, child "stars" have profoundly sad lives and untimely ends,' she wrote.
'We were not as protected by the "systems" that look great on paper, as we are supposed to be said. RIP HP, MT, DC, and too many others.'
The Daily Mail has contacted Paquin's representative for further comment.
X-Men actress Anna Paquin has launched a blistering condemnation of Hollywood's treatment of underage talent, as she mourned the untimely deaths of her fellow former child stars
The broadside comes after Hayden Panettiere was found dead aged 36 of a suspected overdose last Sunday at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina
Paquin began acting at nine and won an Oscar aged 11 for her role in Jane Campion's 1993 period drama The Piano, in which she is pictured with Holly Hunter
Trachtenberg was found dead last February at the age of 39 of what was later confirmed to be diabetes mellitus, which may have been a complication of a liver transplant she underwent the previous year after alleged issues with alcohol.
Chase succumbed to AIDS in June at the age of 35, with her death certificate listing 'chronic polysubstance abuse' as a contributing factor.
In her Friday Instagram post, Paquin wrote: 'It's a strange small club we belong to and you are worthy of support no matter how our industry made you feel. Literally DM me. I believe you and I will stand by your side. You aren't alone. Let's have each other's backs. It might make public disclosure less terrifying.'
