Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present at the South Carolina apartment where the actress passed away, as per a police report disclosed on Tuesday. A police officer who arrived at the residence on Sunday found the brothers at the scene, with paramedics administering CPR to an unresponsive woman.
The officer mentioned that there were no apparent physical causes for the woman’s unresponsiveness. Despite efforts to revive her, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m. Her death investigation is ongoing, with no determined cause yet. An autopsy revealed no signs of trauma, and authorities ruled out foul play. Panettiere, aged 36, had a tumultuous relationship with Brian Hickerson, who faced allegations of physically abusing her.
Brian Hickerson faced multiple felony abuse charges in 2020, pleading no contest to two counts of harming a spouse or partner. He served a brief jail term and was subsequently sentenced to probation, anger management, and Alcoholics Anonymous sessions. Hickerson recently sought to downgrade his conviction to misdemeanors, but his request was denied by a Los Angeles court.
The police report, heavily redacted, disclosed that Zach Hickerson identified the unresponsive woman as his brother’s girlfriend. The officer noted Zach’s emotional state during the incident and that Brian became visibly emotional only after Panettiere was declared deceased. Following her passing, the officer escorted the brothers out of the apartment. Details of the conversation with Brian are redacted, as is a list of Panettiere’s medications.
Earlier, Panettiere’s ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, expressed grief over her sudden death. Klitschko, who shares a daughter with Panettiere, lamented her untimely passing and emphasized her significance in his life. They welcomed their daughter in 2014, and after their split in 2018, Klitschko obtained full custody due to Panettiere’s struggles with addiction and postpartum depression.
Panettiere, who would have turned 37 soon, was candid about her personal challenges in her memoir “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” released in May. She discussed early fame, addiction, and postpartum depression in the book. Panettiere’s custody arrangement for her daughter, living with Klitschko in Ukraine, was a topic of discussion, with Panettiere clarifying misconceptions about her decision.
Tributes for Panettiere continue to pour in from colleagues and friends, highlighting her talent and spirit. Co-stars from “Nashville” and “Heroes” expressed sadness over her passing, remembering her for her energy and talent. Creator of “Heroes,” Tim Kring, praised Panettiere’s exceptional talent, acknowledging her impact on the industry. Panettiere’s acting journey began as a child actor before achieving fame with roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville.”
