Hayden Panettiere’s on-again, off-again partner, Brian Hickerson, along with his brother Zach Hickerson, were present at the South Carolina apartment where the actress tragically passed away last weekend, as per a police report made public on Tuesday. Upon arriving at the residence on Sunday afternoon, a Greenville police officer encountered the Hickerson brothers and witnessed paramedics administering CPR to an unresponsive woman. The report stated that the patient showed no apparent physical reasons for her unresponsiveness. Despite efforts to save her, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m.
The cause of death is yet to be determined, and investigations are ongoing. An autopsy revealed no signs of trauma, and authorities found no indication of foul play. Panettiere, aged 36, had a tumultuous relationship with Brian Hickerson, who faced allegations of physically abusing the actress. In 2020, he was charged with multiple counts of felony abuse, to which he pleaded no contest, resulting in a brief jail term. Subsequently, he received four years of probation, along with anger management and Alcoholics Anonymous sessions. Recently, Hickerson sought to have his conviction reduced to misdemeanors, but this request was denied by a Los Angeles judge last Thursday.
The police report, heavily redacted, noted that Zach Hickerson identified the unresponsive woman as his brother’s girlfriend. The officer described Zach as visibly emotional during the emergency response, while Brian showed emotions only after the woman was declared deceased. Following her passing, the brothers were escorted out of the apartment, and the officer engaged in a detailed conversation with Brian, details of which were redacted. Additionally, a list of medications taken by Panettiere was also redacted from the report.
Prior to her untimely death, Panettiere’s ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, expressed his grief over the loss. Klitschko, the father of their daughter Kaya, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, emphasizing the shock and sorrow felt by their family. Panettiere, who welcomed Kaya in 2014, gave full custody to Klitschko in 2018 due to her struggles with addiction and postpartum depression. Klitschko acknowledged Panettiere’s talent and difficulties in the entertainment industry, urging respect for their privacy during this challenging time.
The late actress, who would have turned 37 soon, openly discussed her personal challenges in her recently released memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” In various interviews, Panettiere addressed custody issues concerning her daughter, emphasizing the misconceptions surrounding her decision to give full custody to Klitschko. Tributes from colleagues and friends continue to pour in for the beloved actor, with co-stars from “Nashville” and “Heroes” expressing their deep sadness over her passing. Creator Tim Kring praised Panettiere’s exceptional talent and spirit, recalling her contributions to the entertainment industry before her notable roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville.”
