Hayden Panettiere‘s boyfriend Brian Hickerson released a statement that says little about his feelings after her death.
Instead, his first remarks come via his attorney. The short message reminds people that police saw no signs of foul play.
- Hayden Panettiere died on Sunday (Aug. 16) in Greenville, S.C.
- Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson were with her at the time (per police reports).
- The couple had been on and off for seven years, and their relationship included several incidents of alleged and convicted abuse.
Who is Brian Hickerson?
Brian Hickerson is an actor who hails from South Carolina and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his career. A IMDB profile for an actor by that name lists just one project, M.F.A. in 2017.
Panettiere began dating Hickerson in 2018, shortly after her split from fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she shares a daughter. At the time, Panettiere was navigating a difficult personal chapter, including ceding custody of her daughter to Klitschko as she battled postpartum depression and addiction.
She’d later describe their relationship as abusive and traumatic. In 2021, he pleaded no contest on two felony domestic violence charges against her and was sentenced to 45 days in jail. Police were called to investigate other alleged domestic assault incidents but charges were not filed.
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Brian Hickerson Breaks His Silence
On Thursday (August 20), Hickerson’s lawyer provided the following statement to TMZ:
Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed. As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.
The responding officer wrote that Brian Hickerson only became emotional after learning Panettiere was dead. Officers observed that his brother Zach was emotional immediately.
TMZ also shares that Brian was asleep in another room when Panettiere died in an armchair. It was Zach who found her unresponsive.
Hayden Panettiere Cause of Death
Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death has not been revealed as it will take several weeks for the toxicology report to be finished. Brian Hickerson gave police a bag of her medications, according to reports. The 36-year-old has a long history of substance abuse.
EMS crews found her in cardiac arrest when they arrived on the scene.
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Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes