Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson were present at the South Carolina apartment where the actress passed away recently, according to a police report made public on Tuesday. A police officer arrived at the residence on Sunday and found the brothers there, witnessing paramedics performing CPR on an unresponsive woman. Despite efforts to revive her, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m. No cause of death has been determined, and the investigation is ongoing, with no signs of foul play reported by the police.
Panettiere and Brian Hickerson had a tumultuous relationship marked by allegations of physical abuse. Hickerson faced charges in 2020 for felony abuse, to which he pleaded no contest and served a brief jail term. He was later sentenced to probation, 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, though heavily redacted, indicated that Zach Hickerson identified the unresponsive woman as his brother’s girlfriend. The report also mentioned Brian’s emotional reaction to the situation. Following Panettiere’s death, the brothers were escorted out of the apartment. Details of the conversation with Brian and Panettiere’s medication list were redacted from the report.
Panettiere’s former fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, expressed his sorrow over her sudden passing, emphasizing her significance in his life and as the mother of their daughter. The couple had a child together in 2014, and following their separation in 2018, Klitschko obtained full custody due to Panettiere’s struggles with addiction and postpartum depression.
The late actress, who was about to turn 37, had been candid about her personal challenges in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” She openly discussed issues related to fame, addiction, and postpartum depression. Tributes for Panettiere continue to pour in from colleagues and friends, highlighting her talent and spirit. Creator Tim Kring of “Heroes” praised her exceptional talent and expressed admiration for her work before her notable roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville.”
Before gaining fame in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” Panettiere began her acting career as a child star, appearing in films like “Remember the Titans” in 2000. The entertainment industry mourns the loss of the talented actor, remembering her for her contributions to television and film.