Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present at the South Carolina apartment where the actress passed away over the weekend, as per a police report revealed on Tuesday. Upon arrival at the residence on Sunday afternoon, a Greenville police officer encountered the Hickerson brothers and witnessed paramedics administering CPR to an unresponsive woman. The officer noted that there were no apparent physical reasons for the woman’s unresponsiveness. Despite efforts to save her, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m.
The cause of death has not been determined, and investigations are ongoing. An autopsy revealed no signs of trauma, and authorities stated there were no indications of foul play. Panettiere, aged 36, had a tumultuous relationship with Brian Hickerson, who faced accusations of physically abusing the actress. In 2020, he faced multiple felony abuse charges, to which he pleaded no contest, resulting in a brief jail term. Subsequently, he was placed on probation and required to attend anger management and Alcoholics Anonymous sessions. Hickerson recently sought to have his convictions reduced to misdemeanors, but his request was denied by a Los Angeles judge.
The police report, heavily redacted, mentioned that Zach Hickerson identified the unresponsive woman as his brother’s girlfriend. The officer noted Zach’s emotional state while emergency services attended to Panettiere, with Brian becoming emotional only after her official declaration of death. Following her passing, the Hickerson brothers were escorted out of the apartment. Further details of the conversation with Brian are redacted, as well as a list of medications Panettiere was taking.
Panettiere’s ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, expressed sorrow over her sudden death. He described the loss as deeply saddening, emphasizing Panettiere’s significance in his life as the mother of their daughter, Kaya. The pair welcomed Kaya in 2014, and after parting ways in 2018, Panettiere granted full custody to Klitschko due to her struggles with addiction and postpartum depression. Klitschko urged respect for their family’s privacy during this difficult period.
The late actress, who would have turned 37 soon, candidly discussed her personal challenges in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” released in May. In various interviews, Panettiere addressed her custody arrangement with Klitschko concerning their daughter. Tributes continue to pour in for Panettiere from colleagues and friends, highlighting her talents and spirit. The actress, known for her roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” began her career as a child actor before achieving fame in the entertainment industry.