Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson were present at Hayden Panettiere’s South Carolina apartment during the time of her death, as reported by the police on Tuesday. Upon arriving at the residence, a Greenville police officer found the Hickerson brothers and witnessed paramedics performing CPR on an unresponsive woman. Despite their efforts, Panettiere was declared 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 yet. An autopsy revealed no signs of trauma, and authorities have not found any indication of foul play. The actress, aged 36, had a tumultuous relationship with Brian Hickerson, who faced allegations of physical abuse towards her.
Brian Hickerson faced legal charges in 2020 for felony abuse and later pleaded no contest to specific counts related to injuring a spouse or partner. He served a brief jail sentence and was subsequently placed on four years of probation, attending anger management and Alcoholics Anonymous sessions. Despite his request to reduce his convictions to misdemeanors being denied by a Los Angeles judge, he completed the mandated terms.
In a heavily redacted police report, it was mentioned that Zach Hickerson identified the unresponsive woman as his brother’s girlfriend. The report highlighted the emotional distress observed in both brothers during the incident. Details of the conversation with Brian Hickerson following Panettiere’s death were redacted, as well as a list of medications that the actress had been taking.
Following Panettiere’s tragic passing, her ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko expressed his grief in a heartfelt statement. Klitschko, the father of their daughter Kaya, emphasized Panettiere’s significance in his life and the impact of her sudden death. The former couple welcomed their daughter in 2014, with Klitschko assuming full custody after their separation due to Panettiere’s struggles with addiction and postpartum depression.
Panettiere, who was set to turn 37 soon, had openly shared her personal battles, including early fame challenges, addiction issues, and postpartum depression, in her memoir “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” She clarified misconceptions about her custody arrangement for Kaya, emphasizing her ongoing role in her daughter’s life. Tributes from colleagues and fans continue to pour in, honoring Panettiere’s talent and spirit, with fond memories shared by those who worked closely with her in the entertainment industry.