Hayden Panettiere’s former boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson were present at the South Carolina apartment where the actress passed away, as indicated in a police report disclosed on Tuesday. A Greenville police officer arriving at the scene on Sunday found the Hickerson brothers and witnessed paramedics administering CPR to an unresponsive woman. Despite efforts to revive her, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m., with no apparent physical cause for her unresponsiveness.
The investigation into Panettiere’s death is ongoing, with no determined cause at this time. An autopsy revealed no signs of trauma, and authorities have not found any indications of foul play. Panettiere, aged 36, had a tumultuous relationship with Brian Hickerson, who faced allegations of physically abusing the actress.
Brian Hickerson faced legal repercussions in 2020, being charged with multiple counts of felony abuse. He later pleaded no contest to two counts of injuring a spouse or partner, resulting in a brief jail term. Subsequently, he received a four-year probation sentence along with mandatory anger management and Alcoholics Anonymous sessions. Despite completing these conditions, his request to lessen his conviction to misdemeanors was recently denied by a Los Angeles judge.
The police report, which contains significant redactions, highlighted Zach Hickerson’s emotional reaction during the emergency response to Panettiere. Brian Hickerson reportedly displayed emotions only after her official declaration of death. Following her passing, the brothers were escorted out of the apartment, and further details of the conversation with Brian were redacted. Additionally, details regarding the medications Panettiere had been taking were also redacted from the report.
Panettiere’s former fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, expressed his sorrow over her sudden death, emphasizing the profound shock and grief their family is experiencing. Klitschko, who shares a daughter with Panettiere, emphasized the importance of Hayden’s role in his life and their daughter’s life, despite their separation in 2018. He praised Panettiere’s achievements in her career and urged respect for their privacy during this challenging period.
The late actress, who was approaching her 37th birthday, had been candid about her personal struggles, detailing them in her memoir “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” released in May. In various interviews, including one with podcaster Jay Shetty, Panettiere addressed misconceptions about her custody arrangement for her daughter and her ongoing challenges in the entertainment industry.
As tributes continue to pour in for Panettiere, colleagues and friends, including co-stars from “Nashville” and “Heroes,” expressed their deep sorrow and admiration for her talent and spirit. The creator of “Heroes,” Tim Kring, praised Panettiere’s exceptional talent and the impact she had on those around her. Before achieving fame in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” Panettiere began her acting career as a child star in films like “Remember the Titans” in 2000.