Kenvue Shares Drop Over 2% as Neutrogena Boycott Follows Hayden Panettiere Death

Q: What is the official cause of Hayden Panettiere's sudden death, and will it force Neutrogena to finally break their silence?

There is no official cause of death yet, and there is no indication so far that Neutrogena is preparing to respond. Authorities in Greenville, South Carolina, said Hayden Panettiere was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest on Aug. 16. An autopsy has been completed, and the coroner said there were no signs of trauma that contributed to her death. But the official cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and additional studies. Some dispatch audio and media reports mentioned a possible overdose, but that has not been confirmed by the coroner, so it should not be treated as the official cause. As for Neutrogena, the company has still not publicly commented on the renewed criticism tied to Panettiere’s allegation that the brand tried to cut ties with her after she spoke openly about postpartum depression in 2015. Since her death, backlash has intensified online, including boycott calls and critical posts on the brand’s social media accounts, but there is no public sign yet that the company plans to break its silence. So, the factual answer at this point is that Panettiere’s death is still under investigation, and Neutrogena remains publicly silent despite mounting pressure.

3 articles · Updated · The Independent · Aug 20

Kenvue stock fell more than 2% on Monday as boycott calls against Neutrogena intensified after Hayden Panettiere’s death at 36, though the shares showed signs of recovering by Wednesday morning.
The backlash centers on Panettiere’s 2026 memoir claim that Neutrogena ended her roughly 10-year ambassador role after she disclosed postpartum depression treatment following her daughter’s 2014 birth.
Social media pressure has spread quickly: a Reddit boycott post drew more than 5,000 upvotes, an X post accusing Neutrogena of firing her over PPD topped 34,000 likes, and the brand’s accounts were flooded with critical comments.
Panettiere said on Jay Shetty’s podcast in May that her representative told her the move violated the contract, and Neutrogena has not commented on either her death or the renewed allegations.