Hayden Panettiere was with on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson when she died, police report says
Hayden Panettiere Was With Boyfriend When Found Dead
Wertynews.com – Hayden Panettiere was alongside her intermittent partner, Brian Hickerson, and his brother Zach, inside a Greenville, South Carolina, apartment when the 36-year-old actress was discovered unresponsive on Sunday. A partially redacted police report obtained by CBS News on Tuesday confirms the two men were at the scene and placed the 911 call that sent first responders to the location.
What the Police Report Documents
Officer Matthew Bryan, the author of the report, recorded that firefighters and EMS crews were already performing CPR by the time police arrived. Bryan wrote that Panettiere showed no visible external injuries that might explain her unresponsiveness. EMS personnel continued resuscitation efforts for what he described as "an extended amount of time" before declaring a time of death, though the exact duration was not specified.
CCTV footage from the building captured the two Hickerson brothers and Panettiere entering and leaving the apartment, Bryan noted. While paramedics worked, Zach Hickerson was described as "very emotional." Brian, however, "did not become emotional until EMS declared her officially deceased," the officer wrote. At one point during the encounter, Brian handed Bryan "the bag of medication" Panettiere was "currently on," though the specific drug list and details of officer conversations have been redacted.
Hayden Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m. Additional investigators arrived afterward, and a search warrant was executed at the apartment, the report states.
Autopsy Results and Investigation Status
The Greenville County Coroner's Office confirmed an autopsy was completed on Monday. Final cause and manner of death remain pending, with results potentially requiring up to eight weeks to return, the office said Tuesday. Police had earlier stated that a preliminary investigation "has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances."
A Career and Personal Struggles Spanning Three Decades
Panettiere's screen career stretched across more than 30 years. She began as a child performer in films including "Remember the Titans" and "Ice Princess," then rose to mainstream fame as a teenager starring in the television series "Heroes." Later credits included roles in the "Scream" horror franchise and the lead in the TV drama "Nashville," which earned her two Golden Globe nominations.
Off-screen, Panettiere spoke openly about personal battles. She described an addiction to opioids and alcohol that took hold during her teenage years, alongside postpartum depression following the 2015 birth of her daughter with ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko. In 2023, her brother Jansen died at age 28 from a heart condition.
In her memoir "This Is Me: A Reckoning," published in May, Panettiere recounted her childhood in show business, encounters with physical abuse, and her path toward recovery. Speaking with CBS News' Gayle King, she explained her motivation for publishing the book:
"I really wanted to share with the world that they don't have to be afraid. That they can live their truth. They can be imperfect."
Asked about her current state, she responded:
"Still working on myself all the time. I had a great therapist and I'm — I'm better, healthier than I've been in a long time."
Relationship Context
Panettiere and Hickerson's romantic history was marked by turbulence. Her memoir and prior media coverage documented multiple arrests of Hickerson connected to alleged abuse. The police report obtained this week adds further detail to the circumstances surrounding her final hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Hayden Panettiere found? She was discovered unresponsive at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, on a Sunday. Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach were present and made the 911 call.
What is the current status of the investigation? An autopsy was completed on Monday. Cause and manner of death are pending, with final results potentially requiring up to eight weeks. Police said a preliminary investigation showed no signs of foul play.
Who was present at the scene? Brian Hickerson, his brother Zach Hickerson, first responders including firefighters and EMS personnel, and Officer Matthew Bryan, who authored the report.
What did the police report say about her condition? Officer Bryan noted that Panettiere "did not seem to have any obvious physical reasons to be unresponsive." EMS continued interventions for an extended period before declaring a time of death at 2:31 p.m.