Hayden Panettiere’s Troubled Ex Was Present When Actress Was Found Unresponsive
Brian Hickerson, Hayden Panettiere’s former boyfriend, was among the people at the South Carolina apartment where the actress was found unresponsive on Aug. 16. According to a police report obtained by Fox News …
Brian Hickerson, Hayden Panettiere’s former boyfriend, was among the people at the South Carolina apartment where the actress was found unresponsive on Aug. 16.
According to a police report obtained by Fox News, Hickerson and his brother, Zach, called 911 after allegedly finding Panettiere, 36, unresponsive.
Officers later spoke with both men and executed a search warrant at the apartment.
The police report said Zach appeared "very emotional" while paramedics worked to revive Panettiere. Hickerson reportedly became emotional after the actress was pronounced dead.
Hickerson also gave officers a bag containing medication Panettiere had allegedly been taking, according to the report.
Panettiere and Hickerson had an on-again, off-again relationship that began after her split from former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko.
The two reportedly met through mutual friends in 2018.
The former couple separated and reunited over the years. Hickerson's brother told police that Brian was in a relationship with Panettiere at the time of her death.
Hickerson reportedly traveled with Panettiere from Los Angeles the day before she was found unresponsive at the Greenville, South Carolina, apartment complex.
Their relationship also included highly public legal proceedings.
Hickerson was charged with domestic violence involving Panettiere in 2019 and was arrested again in 2020 on multiple charges related to alleged domestic violence.
In 2021, Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony charges connected to domestic violence involving Panettiere. The remaining charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
According to People, Panettiere later spoke publicly about the allegations, saying she hoped sharing her experience would help others in abusive relationships.
"I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve," she said in a statement. "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."