Brian Hickerson, Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend, has broken his silence following the actress’ sudden death at the age of 36. Hickerson addressed her death through his attorney, who urged people to allow authorities to complete their investigation while noting that police have found no signs of foul play.
Brian Hickerson’s lawyer issues statement
Hickerson’s attorney, Sloan Ellis of the Ellis Hinton law firm, said in a statement, cited by Rolling Stone, that Panettiere’s death remains under investigation.“Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” Ellis said. “As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play.”The lawyer added, “Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”
Brian Hickerson was at the apartment when Hayden died
Panettiere was found unresponsive at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16. Emergency responders arrived after a 911 call reporting an unresponsive woman in cardiac arrest. She was pronounced dead at the scene.According to a police report, Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were at the apartment when officers arrived. First responders were performing CPR on Panettiere, who reportedly showed no obvious physical injuries.Hickerson reportedly provided police with a bag of medication that he said Panettiere had been taking. Dispatch audio also referenced cardiac arrest and a possible overdose, although authorities have not established an official cause of death.
Autopsy finds no trauma as cause of death remains undetermined
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office has said an autopsy found no signs of trauma that contributed to Panettiere’s death. However, her official cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending toxicology results.Police have also said their preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. The investigation remains ongoing, with the Drug Enforcement Administration reportedly becoming involved as authorities continue examining the circumstances surrounding her death.
Hayden Panettiere’s mother raises concerns about Brian Hickerson
The statement from Hickerson’s lawyer comes after Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, publicly expressed concerns about her daughter’s relationship with him.Vogel told NBC News that Hickerson was with Panettiere when she died and said her family had been trying to distance him from her daughter for years. She also said she was still seeking information about what happened and planned to speak with detectives before drawing conclusions.“We had been concerned about this for many years,” Vogel said, according to NBC News.Vogel also said she believed Panettiere and Hickerson were still together at the time of her death, despite their relationship having been described as on and off.
Panettiere and Hickerson had a troubled relationship
Panettiere began dating Hickerson in 2018. Their relationship later became tumultuous, with Hickerson facing domestic violence charges.In her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, published in May 2026, Panettiere detailed alleged abuse during their relationship. She described one incident in which she said Hickerson beat her so severely that she did not feel comfortable leaving her home for weeks.Hickerson was arrested in 2019 in connection with an allegation involving a spouse or girlfriend. He later pleaded no contest to the abuse charge and received a sentence that included jail time and probation. Panettiere also sought a restraining order against him in 2020.
Hayden Panettiere’s final days
Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, had spoken openly in recent years about her struggles with addiction, mental health and the pressures of growing up in the public eye.Her memoir, released just three months before her death, revisited some of the most difficult periods of her life, including her relationship with Hickerson.Panettiere died just days before what would have been her 37th birthday. She is survived by her daughter, Kaya, whom she shares with former partner Wladimir Klitschko.
