KEY POINT
- Ruby Rose said she and Hayden Panettiere stayed in daily contact throughout their five-year friendship.
- Rose recalled that their connection began unexpectedly after Panettiere approached her and said they had a lot in common.
- Panettiere’s death remains under investigation, with official toxicology results still pending.
Rose described Panettiere as one of her best friends during a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight. She said their relationship developed after an unexpected first meeting, when Panettiere approached her and suggested they talk because they had many things in common.
Rose initially did not expect the two to become friends. She said she had been hesitant about forming close relationships with other celebrities because of her previous experiences in the entertainment industry.
That changed after their conversation. Rose recalled discovering that they shared so much in common, eventually building a friendship that continued for five years.
Five Years of Daily Contact
According to Rose, their friendship involved much more than occasional contact between two actors. She said they texted each other every day and regularly checked in on one another.
Rose also described a wider circle of 14 people who had become connected over the years, referring to the group as her family. She said Panettiere had been an important part of that circle.
The comments offer a personal perspective on Panettiere’s life away from the screen, particularly from someone who maintained regular contact with her over an extended period.
While discussing her late friend, Rose said Panettiere wanted her story to be told in her own way and on her own terms.
That comment came as Rose became visibly emotional during the interview. Rather than focusing only on Panettiere’s career, Rose used the conversation to remember the personal relationship they had built over several years.
Panettiere was known for roles in Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise. Her death has since prompted tributes from people who worked with her and knew her personally.
Panettiere died Aug. 16 in Greenville, South Carolina, at age 36. Her death remains under investigation, and her representative said Sept. 16 that toxicology results were still pending.
The clarification is important because several reports have circulated about the circumstances surrounding her death. Panettiere’s representative said reports based on unnamed sources were unverified and had contributed to conflicting information.
An autopsy found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death, while authorities continue to await toxicology findings before establishing an official cause and manner of death.
Rose is also preparing to appear in Season 5 of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test. Her interview about Panettiere therefore comes alongside a new chapter in Rose’s television career, but her comments about their friendship centered on their personal bond rather than her upcoming appearance.
For Rose, the lasting memory she shared was of a friendship built through constant communication and mutual understanding. Her account adds a personal dimension to the public remembrance of Panettiere while the official investigation into her death continues.
The investigation into Panettiere’s death remains ongoing. Officials are awaiting toxicology results, while her representative has urged patience until the investigative process is complete.
