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 encountered the Hickerson brothers and witnessed paramedics conducting CPR on an unresponsive woman. Despite efforts to revive her, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m. with no apparent physical explanation for her unresponsiveness.
The cause of death is yet to be determined, and authorities are actively investigating the incident. Initial findings from an autopsy revealed no signs of physical trauma, and law enforcement ruled out foul play. Panettiere, aged 36, had a tumultuous relationship with Brian Hickerson, who faced allegations of physically abusing the actor. In 2020, Hickerson faced charges of felony abuse, to which he pleaded no contest, resulting in a brief jail term. Subsequently, he received four years of probation along with mandatory anger management and Alcoholics Anonymous sessions.
Recent attempts by Hickerson to downgrade his conviction to misdemeanors were rejected by a Los Angeles court. The police report, although heavily redacted, indicated that Zach Hickerson informed the responding officer that the unresponsive woman was his brother’s girlfriend. Details of the conversation with Brian Hickerson were redacted. The report also withheld information regarding the medications Panettiere had been taking.
Panettiere’s former fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, expressed his sorrow over her sudden demise. Klitschko, a Ukrainian boxer and father of their daughter, shared a heartfelt message mourning Panettiere’s untimely death. The couple welcomed their daughter, Kaya, in 2014, and following their separation in 2018, Klitschko was granted full custody due to Panettiere’s struggles with addiction and postpartum depression.
The late actress, who would have turned 37 soon, had been candid about her personal challenges in her recently released memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” She openly discussed issues related to early fame, addiction, and postpartum depression. Tributes continue to pour in for Panettiere from colleagues and co-stars, remembering her as a talented individual with a vibrant spirit. Her impact in the entertainment industry was highlighted by industry figures and those who had the privilege of working with her. Prior to her notable roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” Panettiere began her acting career as a child performer, starring in films like “Remember the Titans” in 2000.