Australian actress Ruby Rose has urged fans to remain patient following the death of Hayden Panettiere, claiming that public discussion surrounding the tragedy is loud and wrong.
Panettiere, 36, died on August 16 after going into cardiac arrest following a suspected overdose at a loft apartment in South Carolina.
Rose, 40, returned to social media to share a message suggesting there is more to the circumstances of her friend's passing than has been publicly reported.
"I have so much I want to say about our dear Hayden. If the roles were reversed, she would have sorted this already. Our brave, courageous H faced everything head on. She was fearless," Rose wrote online.
The Melbourne-born star added: "But it is LOUD and wrong and scary out there right now. So naturally I keep calling Hayden for advice on how to handle this."
Rose appealed for time while referencing Panettiere's 11-year-old daughter, Kaya. "I need more time to get this right for Kaya, I also need folks to have patience. Wait for all the information," Rose said. "Don't take it from her estranged mother. Or any of her abusers. She worked too hard and came too far for this bulls**t. I promise you."
Questions Over Relationship
The personal comments from Rose have prompted questions among fans regarding the nature of her connection to Panettiere. The two actresses never worked together publicly, moved in different industry circles, and were never photographed together at major public events.
Rose has not publicly explained her relationship with Panettiere or specified what coverage she considers inaccurate.
The recent post follows an earlier social media tribute from Rose shortly after Panettiere died. In that message, Rose shared a photo of Panettiere alongside the words: "Hayden, I am begging you. No. My friend, no! WHO do we call? What is happening?"
Online speculation has linked Rose's reaction to Panettiere's close friendship with actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who died 18 months ago at age 39. Panettiere and Trachtenberg previously co-starred in the 2005 Disney film Ice Princess as competitive figure skaters.
Police Investigation and Background
Authorities are investigating Panettiere's death after a female 911 dispatcher reported that the actress had suffered cardiac arrest. Police stated that the preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
Panettiere had arrived in South Carolina from Los Angeles one day before her death alongside her on-off boyfriend, real estate agent Brian Hickerson, who is from South Carolina.
Panettiere was best known for her television roles as cheerleader Claire Bennet in the NBC drama Heroes and as country singer Juliette Barnes in Nashville. Her former partner, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko, holds full custody of their daughter Kaya.
Rose is an Australian actress and model who gained international prominence for her role in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black and as the lead in Batwoman.
