Brian Hickerson, Hayden Panettiere's on-and-off boyfriend, was reportedly present at her apartment when she died at age 36. According to TMZ, Hickerson and his brother Zach were there as paramedics responded to a call about a woman in cardiac arrest. Hickerson became 'visibly emotional' after she was declared dead, while his brother was 'very emotional' while medical staff worked on the actress.
Details of the Death and Emergency Response
First responders were called to an address on Sunday for a woman suffering from cardiac arrest, as confirmed by the Greenville County Coroner's Office. Reports indicated a possible overdose, and Naloxone, a medication used to counteract opioid overdoses, was found at the scene. An autopsy was completed, with a statement noting 'no signs of trauma' that would have contributed to death. The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and additional studies. Her official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Brian Hickerson's Legal History and Recent Court Ruling
Hickerson had a documented history of domestic violence. In 2021, he pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail, four years of formal probation, 52 domestic violence classes, $500 in restitution, and a five-year protective order. Three days before Panettiere's death, it was reported that Hickerson had requested his past felony domestic violence charges to be reduced or expunged. However, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office confirmed to Page Six that Judge Olivia Rosales denied his request.
Panettiere's Advocacy and Relationship Status
Panettiere had spoken out against Hickerson after his 2020 arrest, saying she wanted to 'empower others in abusive relationships.' She stated, 'I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again. I'm grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life.' In her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, she candidly wrote about suffering physical abuse and her struggles to cut him off. A TMZ source suggested the couple were still together privately, even when publicly Panettiere had distanced herself on the advice of her team. It is unknown how long they had been back together, but the source indicated they were an item while she was promoting her memoir, months before her death.
Tributes and Family Impact
Her ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, who has full custody of their daughter Kaya, 11, shared a moving tribute. He wrote that she had 'left this world far too soon,' adding, 'Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives.' For Kaya, he said he will 'always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was.' Panettiere's representative confirmed her death on Monday, saying her family would remember her as an 'incredible light.'
