Hayden Panettiere's on-screen husband on Nashville, Jonathan Jackson, has paid a heartbreaking tribute to his late co-star in a lengthy and emotional tribute.
Jonathan starred on the drama series, which ran from 2013 to 2018, as aspiring musician Avery Buckley. His character ended up marrying and having a child with Juliette Barnes, played by Hayden.
Following news of Hayden's death at the age of 36 on 16 August, Jonathan broke his silence on the "shock and grief" he was feeling at the loss of his longtime co-star and real-life friend. "I have no words to express the loss of our beloved Hayden," the 44-year-old actor penned on Instagram on Thursday.
© Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty ImagesHayden's TV husband pays tribute
"She had such a bright light within her. She was a sensitive soul. Incredibly funny and witty. Amazingly gifted, with a great sense of empathy and compassion," Jonathan's post continued.
The actor remarked that growing up in the industry was something they shared in common. "A silent knowing of how intense the struggles can be," he added. Jonathan praised Hayden as an "absolute joy to work with. Focused, spontaneous and brilliant."
© Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Television Network"The most important thing between friends and coworkers is trust, and we had this," he said, adding that he and his wife Lisa "both love and cherish her deeply, like our own sister. She holds that place in our hearts."
He continued: "My prayer for her every day we worked together was that she would know how loved she is, and that she would find the peace that she was looking for. It’s not possible to express the shock and grief that so many of us feel right now."
"May God’s angels carry you to your place of rest and true peace. We love you Hayden. You will always be in our hearts. Always," Jonathan concluded.
© Getty ImagesHayden died at the age of 36
Hayden, best known for Nashville and Heroes, and who notably starred in films such as Bring It On: All or Nothing and the Scream franchise, died just days before her 37th birthday.
"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," her representative told HELLO!.
"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 Skip said in a statement. "We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss," he added.
"An investigation is ongoing and cause of death has not yet been determined, " Hayden's rep told HELLO!.
The actress died of an apparent overdose per new reports by TMZ and People, although further details have not yet been confirmed.
