Ruby Rose became emotional while remembering Hayden Panettiere, describing the late actress as her “best friend” and saying they spoke every day for five years.
Rose discussed their friendship during an interview with Entertainment Tonight reporter Denny Directo at a press event for season five of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test. Asked how Panettiere should be remembered, Rose was visibly moved as she recalled their close bond.
Rose said she had not initially expected the pair to become friends, partly because of her own difficult experiences as an actress. However, she said Panettiere ran up to her during their first interaction, locked eyes with her and told her they had a lot in common and needed to talk.
Rose said she laughed before accepting the invitation, and the two subsequently discovered they shared “an enormous amount” in common, strengthening their friendship.
Panettiere died on August 16 inside an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina. Her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach, found her unconscious and called 911, according to Zach, who also said Hickerson administered Narcan.
Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene. Law enforcement sources said the working theory among federal agents investigating the death was that she died after taking a pill of oxycodone allegedly laced with fentanyl.
Investigators are said to believe the pill came from a long-time drug dealer based in Los Angeles. The Greenville County Medical Examiner is conducting toxicology tests to establish Panettiere’s official cause and manner of death.
