Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present at the South Carolina apartment where the actress passed away recently, as per a police report disclosed on Tuesday. A police officer who arrived at the scene found the Hickerson brothers and witnessed paramedics administering CPR to an unresponsive woman, the report confirmed.
The officer noted 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 is currently under investigation, with no specific cause identified yet. Following an autopsy that showed no signs of trauma and the absence of any indication of foul play by the police, the case remains open. Panettiere, aged 36, had a troubled relationship with Brian Hickerson, with allegations of physical abuse.
Hickerson faced legal issues in 2020, charged with multiple counts of felony abuse. He later pleaded no contest to two counts of injuring a spouse or partner, resulting in a brief jail term. Subsequently, he was placed on four years of probation and mandated to attend anger management and Alcoholics Anonymous sessions. Recently, Hickerson sought to have his conviction reduced to misdemeanors, a request that was denied by a Los Angeles judge last Thursday.
The police report, though heavily redacted, mentioned that Zach Hickerson identified the unresponsive woman as his brother’s girlfriend. The officer observed Zach’s emotional state during the emergency medical procedures, while Brian reacted emotionally only after Panettiere was declared deceased. The report redacted details of the conversation with Brian and a list of medications Panettiere was taking.
Panettiere’s former fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, expressed his grief over her sudden demise. Klitschko, who is also the father of their daughter, Kaya, shared a heartfelt message expressing deep sadness over Panettiere’s untimely passing.
The actress, who would have turned 37 soon, had been candid about her personal struggles in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” released in May. Panettiere openly discussed her challenges with early fame, addiction, and postpartum depression in the book. In a podcast interview earlier this year, she clarified misconceptions regarding the custody arrangement for her daughter, emphasizing her ongoing connection to her child.
Tributes continue to flood in for Panettiere, with co-stars and colleagues expressing their sorrow over the loss. Connie Britton, a co-star from “Nashville,” and Masi Oka from “Heroes” shared heartfelt messages honoring Panettiere’s memory. Tim Kring, the creator of “Heroes,” praised Panettiere’s talent and expressed admiration for her extraordinary acting skills. Panettiere’s career began as a child actor, starring in films like “Remember the Titans” before gaining fame in her later roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville.”