Charles Esten reflected on the day he met Nashville co-star Hayden Panettiere in a heartfelt tribute to the late actress.

Esten, 60, who played singer-songwriter Deacon Claybourne on the musical drama, shared a series of photos with Panettiere and other cast members on Instagram on Monday (August 17). Panetiere died on Sunday (August 16) in Greenville, South Carolina. She was 36. Esten said he and his wife were “stunned and saddened” to har of Panettiere’s passing.

“Patty and I are stunned and saddened at the loss of our dear and beautiful friend Hayden,” he wrote. “I will never forget the first time I met her.

“In a sound stage office in Hollywood, I was finishing up my very first NASHVILLE audition,” Esten remembered. “I had read two Deacon scenes before pulling out my guitar and singing two songs. I said my goodbyes and, hoping I’d done well, went to open the door to leave. Instead of swinging all the way out, the door bumped into somebody. Kinda hard.

“To my complete surprise, It was Hayden Paniettiere, who - in full Juliette Barnes mode - had been listening with her ear to the door. Instead of looking even a little bit caught, her face instantly bloomed into the most beautiful smile. Eyes twinkling, she clapped her hands and said, ‘That was so good!!’

“I can promise you that in that moment, there was nothing in the world I needed to hear more than that. I told her that, along with my HEROES-watching family, I was already a big fan of hers, and that I was grateful for the very kind words. It was her turn to go in, so as I went to leave, I said a jokingly cocky, ‘See you on the set!’

“I was, of course, many auditions away from landing that incredible role. But when I finally did, and showed up in Nashville to start work, she walked right up to me, pointed in my face, and with that magical grin said, ‘See you on the set!’

“From there, we became fast friends, working very hard to play those 2 troubled Nashvillians, but always having fun and laughing a whole lot along the way. She was, of course, extraordinarily talented, infusing her larger-than-life character with all the heart, charisma, humor, whip-smart intelligence, and flat-out magic that were, alongside whatever troubles and pain she carried, a part of her own personal palette. What a great gift it was to act with her, sing with her, and to just be her friend. She was always extremely kind to my family, especially my wife, Patty, who I’m certain she liked even more than me.

“Together, we are heartbroken that she is gone, and praying for her family, and for all those who, like us, will miss and mourn her so dearly,” Esten concluded his post. “God bless you, Hayden. Rest In Peace and Light ❤️”

Esten added another not in the comments section of his Instagram post. There, he shared that he and his wife were in Greenville, South Carolina days before Panettiere’s passing. He’d played a show on Friday (August 14).

“Patty and I were not only in Greenville, SC this past Friday night for one of my shows, we were actually in Judson Mills, itself (where the venue is located.),” he wrote. “Alongside the horrific news of her passing, we have both been stunned to hear in news reports that Hayden had apparently arrived there at the same Judson Mills (the loft apartments, not the venue) the very next day.

“By then, (Saturday) our tour bus had taken us through the night to Wilmington, where we were setting up for my next show, oblivious to all that was to come,” he continued. “Such a strange coincidence. I just wish that it had actually put us there together at the same time. And that we somehow could have bumped into her. And got to hug her, and laugh in amazement with her. And tell her how much we love her again. ❤️”

Esten and Panettiere starred as two country artists on the Nashville TV series from 2012 to 2018. Other cast members include Connie Britton, Clare Bowen, Jonathan Jackson, Sam Palladio, Chris Carmack, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and more. The show also included appearances by real-life country stars, including Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Kacey Musgraves, Sara Evans, Kelsea Ballerini, and Chris Young, to name a few. Britton, who played Rayna James on the show, also shared a tribute to Panettiere, among many others.

Responders found the actress unresponsive at the Greenville residence on Sunday afternoon. On dispatch audio, officials reportedly discuss an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest.” Panettiere’s death is still under investigation by the Greenville Police Department and the Greenville County Coroner's Office.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” a statement confirmed on Sunday. “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.”

Angie Ward