Hayden Panettiere’s partner, Brian Hickerson, and his brother Zach Hickerson were present at the South Carolina apartment where the actress passed away, as per a police report disclosed on Tuesday. Upon arrival at the residence on Sunday afternoon, a Greenville police officer encountered the Hickerson brothers and witnessed paramedics administering CPR to an unresponsive woman. The officer noted that there were no apparent physical causes for her unresponsiveness. Despite efforts to revive her, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m.
The exact cause of her death is still unknown and is currently under investigation. A post-mortem examination revealed no signs of physical trauma, and authorities found no evidence of foul play. Panettiere, aged 36, had a tumultuous relationship with Brian Hickerson, with allegations of domestic abuse against the 37-year-old actor.
In 2020, Hickerson faced multiple felony abuse charges, to which he pleaded no contest. Following this, he served a brief jail term and was placed on four years of probation, attending anger management and Alcoholics Anonymous sessions. Recently, he sought to downgrade his conviction to misdemeanors, but his request was denied by a Los Angeles judge on Thursday.
The police report, heavily redacted, indicated that Zach Hickerson informed the responding officer that the unresponsive woman was his brother’s girlfriend. The officer noticed Zach’s emotional state during the medical response, while Brian displayed emotions only after her official declaration of death. The details of the conversation with Brian were kept confidential in the redacted report, as was a list of medications Panettiere had been taking.
Earlier, Panettiere’s former fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, expressed his sorrow over her sudden demise. Klitschko, the Ukrainian boxer and father of their daughter Kaya, shared a touching message on Instagram, emphasizing Panettiere’s significance in his life despite their separation. The couple welcomed Kaya in 2014, and following their split in 2018, Klitschko obtained full custody due to Panettiere’s struggles with addiction and postpartum depression.
Panettiere, who would have celebrated her 37th birthday soon, candidly discussed her personal battles in her memoir “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” released in May. She addressed issues of early fame, addiction, and postpartum depression in the book. The actress also clarified misconceptions about her parenting arrangements for Kaya, emphasizing her ongoing involvement and dedication as a mother.
Tributes continue to flood in for Panettiere, with co-stars and colleagues expressing their grief over her passing. Messages of love and remembrance have been shared on social media, underscoring Panettiere’s talent, spirit, and impact in the entertainment industry. Creator Tim Kring of “Heroes” praised her exceptional talent and the privilege of working with her. Prior to her acclaimed roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” Panettiere began her acting career as a child artist, starring in films like “Remember the Titans” alongside Denzel Washington.