Tragic Passing of Actress Hayden Panettiere Under Investigation: Boyfriend and Brother Present at Scene
Greenville, South Carolina – The sudden death of actress Hayden Panettiere over the weekend at a South Carolina apartment is now under investigation, with a newly released police report detailing the presence of her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, at the scene. Panettiere, known for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," was found unresponsive, and while no foul play is suspected, the exact cause of her death remains undetermined.
According to a police report issued Tuesday, officers responded to a call at a Greenville residence on Sunday afternoon. Upon arrival, they were met by the Hickerson brothers and observed paramedics already performing CPR on an unresponsive woman, later identified as Panettiere. The responding officer noted that "The patient did not seem to have any obvious physical reasons to be unresponsive." Despite attempts at resuscitation, emergency workers declared Panettiere deceased at 2:31 p.m.
An autopsy conducted following her passing revealed no signs of trauma. Police have also stated that officers found no evidence of foul play, leading to an ongoing investigation to determine the official cause of death.
Boyfriend’s Brother Discovers Panettiere Unresponsive
A report by TMZ sheds further light on the events leading up to the discovery. Brian and Panettiere were reportedly spending the afternoon at an Airbnb in Greenville when Zach Hickerson entered the residence. It was Zach who discovered the 36-year-old actress "unresponsive" in a chair in the living room. At the time of the discovery, Brian was reportedly asleep in another room, and it is believed Panettiere may have gone into cardiac arrest. She would have celebrated her 37th birthday on Friday.
Police Report Heavily Redacted, Key Details Undisclosed
The police report, though providing a timeline of events, is heavily redacted. The responding officer first spoke with Zach Hickerson, who identified the unresponsive woman as his brother’s girlfriend. The report states, "I observed Zach to be very emotional while EMS were working on Hayden. Brian did not become emotional until EMS declared her officially deceased."
After Panettiere was pronounced dead, officers escorted the brothers out of the apartment. The report indicates that the officer then spoke "more in depth" with Brian Hickerson, but the details of this crucial conversation are withheld due to redactions. Also redacted from the police report is a list of medications Panettiere had been taking.
Panettiere’s Public Struggles with Addiction and Mental Health
Hayden Panettiere had been candid about her personal struggles, including addiction and mental health challenges. In her recently released memoir, "This Is Me," she described the lasting impact of early fame and acknowledged battles with alcohol addiction and postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya, in 2014.
Kaya, now 11, began living full-time with her father, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko, when she was two years old. Panettiere openly discussed her struggles during that period, leading to her entering rehab in 2015 while filming "Nashville." In a May interview with podcaster Jay Shetty, she addressed misconceptions about her daughter’s living arrangements, stating, "I think there’s been this very common misconception that I just gave up my child. That could not be farther from the truth."
The actress had faced numerous family difficulties and tragedies throughout her life. Her parents’ marriage ended, and her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, also an actor, tragically died of a heart condition in 2023 at the age of 28.
A Tumultuous Relationship with Brian Hickerson
Panettiere’s relationship with Brian Hickerson had been marked by turmoil for several years. Hickerson, an aspiring actor, had faced allegations of physical abuse against Panettiere. In 2020, he was charged with multiple counts of felony abuse and later pleaded no contest to two counts of injuring a spouse or partner. He served a short jail sentence as a result and was sentenced to four years of probation, along with mandatory anger management and Alcoholics Anonymous sessions.
Hickerson recently completed the terms of his probation and sought to have his conviction reduced to misdemeanors, a request that was denied by a Los Angeles judge on Thursday. Messages sent to Pat Carey, Hickerson’s attorney, on Tuesday seeking comment have not yet been returned.
In her memoir, Panettiere reflected on Hickerson’s time behind bars, expressing a hope for his rehabilitation. "I wanted Brian to be in jail just long enough to scare him, but not long enough where’d he become a worse person," she wrote. "I needed him to admit his wrongs and change because of them, but I didn’t want to traumatize him in an irreversible way." She also wrote about her decision to "let go of my resentment" and attempt to forgive Hickerson, whom she had met in 2018 at a West Hollywood restaurant.
From Child Star to Acclaimed Actress
Born to a former New York City fire captain, Skip Panettiere, and former soap opera star Lesley Vogel, Panettiere’s acting career began at a young age. Vogel was a driving force behind her early success before their relationship became estranged. Panettiere appeared in commercials and soap operas, notably as the troubled Lizzie Spaulding on "Guiding Light." In "This Is Me," she reflected on the traumatic experiences her character endured, suggesting that these roles led her to associate "catastrophe with adoration." She wrote, "Is it any wonder why I’ve faced so many real struggles in my life?"
Her career reached new heights with her role as a cheerleader with supernatural powers in the hit series "Heroes," which premiered in 2006. The show’s popular mantra, "Save the cheerleader, save the world," became synonymous with her character. She garnered three Teen Choice Awards for her performance and was also nominated for a Grammy for a children’s spoken word album.
Panettiere later captivated audiences as a spirited country music upstart opposite Connie Britton in "Nashville." The series, which aired for four seasons on ABC before moving to CMT, showcased Panettiere’s vocal talents, leading to hit songs on country charts, U.S. tours, and two Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress.
The entertainment world mourns the loss of a talented actress whose life, though filled with accomplishments, was also marked by profound personal challenges. The investigation into her death continues.
