Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson were present at the South Carolina apartment where the actress passed away, as detailed in a police report disclosed on Tuesday. A police officer who arrived at the scene found the 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 physical cause for her unresponsiveness.
The circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death are still under investigation, with no determined cause yet. An autopsy revealed no signs of injury, and authorities have ruled out foul play. The actress, aged 36, had a turbulent relationship with Brian Hickerson, who faced allegations of physical abuse towards her.
Hickerson faced legal repercussions in 2020, leading to a conviction on charges 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. Recently, he sought to have his conviction reduced to misdemeanors, but the request was denied by a Los Angeles judge.
The police report, heavily redacted, indicated that Zach Hickerson identified the unresponsive woman as his brother’s girlfriend. Details of the conversation with Brian following Panettiere’s death were redacted, along with a list of her medications. Panettiere’s ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, expressed deep sorrow over her unexpected passing, emphasizing her importance in his life and as the mother of their daughter.
Panettiere, who would have turned 37 soon, had been transparent about her personal challenges, addressing them in her memoir “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” The actress delved into topics like early fame, addiction, and postpartum depression in the book. Despite the custody arrangement for their daughter, Klitschko affirmed his respect for Panettiere and asked for privacy during the mourning period.
As tributes continue to flood in for Panettiere, co-stars and industry figures remember her for her talent and vibrant spirit. Connie Britton and Masi Oka shared heartfelt messages honoring her memory, with “Heroes” creator Tim Kring praising her exceptional talent. Panettiere’s career spanned from her early days as a child actor to her notable roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville.”
