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, according to a police report made public on Tuesday. A police officer who arrived at the scene on Sunday found the brothers there and witnessed paramedics attempting CPR on an unresponsive woman. Despite efforts to revive her, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m. with no apparent physical causes for her unresponsiveness.
The exact cause of Panettiere’s death is still unknown as investigations are ongoing. An autopsy revealed no signs of trauma, and authorities have not found any evidence of foul play. Panettiere, aged 36, had a tumultuous relationship with Brian Hickerson, who faced accusations of physically abusing the actress. In 2020, he was charged with felony abuse, to which he later pleaded no contest, resulting in a brief jail sentence. Following completion of probation and therapy requirements, his request to downgrade the conviction to misdemeanors was recently denied by a judge in Los Angeles.
The police report, heavily redacted, highlighted that Zach Hickerson informed the responding officer that the unresponsive woman was his brother’s girlfriend. Emotions ran high during the incident, with Zach visibly distraught while paramedics attended to Panettiere. Brian Hickerson reportedly showed emotions only after her official declaration of death. The officer escorted the brothers out of the apartment and engaged in a more detailed conversation with Brian, details of which were redacted from the report. Additionally, a list of medications taken by Panettiere was also redacted.
Panettiere’s ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, expressed his sorrow over her sudden passing, emphasizing the profound shock and grief their family was experiencing. Klitschko, who shares a daughter with Panettiere, reflected on her significance in his life despite their breakup and commended her career achievements. Their daughter, Kaya, born in 2014, resides with Klitschko in Ukraine after Panettiere relinquished custody due to personal struggles.
The actress, who would have turned 37 soon, candidly addressed her personal challenges, including addiction and postpartum depression, in her memoir “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” In various interviews, Panettiere clarified misconceptions about her custody arrangement and expressed gratitude for the times shared with her daughter. Tributes honoring Panettiere’s memory continue to flood in from colleagues and friends, highlighting her talent and positive impact on those around her.
Before gaining fame in TV series like “Heroes” and “Nashville,” Panettiere began her acting career as a child artist, starring in notable films such as “Remember the Titans” in 2000 alongside Denzel Washington.