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 revealed on Tuesday. Upon arrival, a Greenville police officer encountered the Hickerson brothers and witnessed paramedics administering CPR to an unresponsive woman. Despite efforts to revive her, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m., with no apparent cause of death identified, prompting an ongoing investigation.
The 36-year-old actress had a tumultuous relationship with Brian Hickerson, who faced allegations of physically abusing her. In 2020, he faced charges of felony abuse, ultimately pleading no contest to two counts of injuring a spouse or partner. Following a brief jail term, he received four years of probation along with anger management and Alcoholics Anonymous sessions. Despite completing the conditions, his request to downgrade the conviction to misdemeanors was recently denied by a Los Angeles judge.
The police report, heavily redacted, indicated that Zach Hickerson initially informed the officer that the unresponsive woman was his brother’s girlfriend. The report also mentioned the emotional reactions of the Hickersons during the incident, with details of the conversation between the officer and Brian Hickerson redacted. Additionally, a list of medications taken by Panettiere was redacted from the report.
Panettiere’s ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, expressed his shock and grief over her sudden death, emphasizing her significance in his life and as the mother of their daughter, Kaya. Klitschko highlighted Panettiere’s struggles, career, and the importance of respecting her memory during this challenging time. The couple welcomed Kaya in 2014, with Klitschko assuming full custody post their separation in 2018 due to Panettiere’s battles with addiction and postpartum depression.
The late actress, who would have turned 37 soon, had candidly discussed her personal challenges in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” released in May. In various interviews, she addressed custody arrangements for her daughter and debunked misconceptions about her involvement in Kaya’s life. Tributes continue to pour in for Panettiere, with colleagues and friends expressing their sorrow and admiration for her talent and spirit.
Before gaining fame in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” Panettiere began her acting career as a child star, featuring in films such as “Remember the Titans” in 2000 alongside Denzel Washington.