Hayden Panettiere’s Passing Investigated, Details Emerge

Hayden Panettiere’s passing is under investigation after her cardiac arrest at a South Carolina apartment complex. The incident took place on Sunday, with law enforcement reports revealing her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present at the scene.

According to an incident report by the Greenville Police Department, Officer Matthew Bryan noted that Zach Hickerson was highly emotional while emergency medical service (EMS) professionals attempted resuscitation efforts on Panettiere. Brian Hickerson exhibited visible distress after the 36-year-old actor was declared deceased by EMS.

The report indicates Brian Hickerson showed officers a “bag of medication” that Panettiere was using at the time of her death. Additionally, Officer Bryan confirmed that his body camera was active throughout the emergency response, although the footage is yet to be released.

Efforts to obtain comments from Brian and Zach Hickerson by NBC News on Monday and Tuesday were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the Greenville County Coroner’s Office stated that the cause of death is still under investigation. An autopsy conducted on Monday revealed no trauma contributing to her death.

A 911 call was made at approximately 1:50 p.m. Sunday, reporting cardiac arrest at Judson Mill Lofts, where Panettiere had been staying temporarily. Despite attempts at resuscitation by the first responders, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.

Panettiere’s relationship with Hickerson, an aspiring actor, ended in 2020 amid accusations of domestic violence. In her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” released three months prior to her death, Panettiere detailed incidents of abuse. She expressed reluctance to report the abuse, fearing public exposure.

Brian Hickerson was arrested on May 2, 2019, for allegations of injuring a partner, according to Los Angeles County criminal court records. He pleaded no contest on April 20, 2021, resulting in a four-year probation sentence. Panettiere filed for a restraining order on July 14, 2020. The case’s court docket does not reveal the victim’s identity or the restraining order’s outcome.

In 2020, Panettiere publicly addressed her abusive experience, aiming to encourage others in similar situations to seek assistance. She emphasized her commitment to prevent Hickerson from harming others. His criminal defense attorney has not commented on the recent developments.

Hayden Panettiere gained fame for her roles in NBC’s “Heroes” and ABC’s “Nashville,” portraying a high school cheerleader with powers and a country music star, respectively.