Actor Hayden Panettiere died on August 16 in South Carolina after traveling there with her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, according to reports detailed by Los Angeles Times. Amid online speculation and public scrutiny surrounding the circumstances of her death, Brian’s brother, Zach Hickerson, spoke out to tmz.com to clarify the final moments at the Airbnb where the group was staying.
Brother Details Final Hours and 911 Call
According to Zach Hickerson, he had planned to meet Brian and Panettiere for lunch and indoor golf after attending a church service on Sunday morning. After failing to reach them by phone or text, Zach drove to the rental home. Unable to open the apartment door without the code, he knocked loudly, which he stated woke Brian up from a nap on the living room’s pull-out couch bed.
Upon entering, the brothers realized Panettiere was unconscious. Zach stated that he immediately called 911 while Brian administered Narcan, a nasal spray medication used to quickly reverse or reduce the effects of an opioid overdose. The brothers then performed CPR together on a speakerphone call with 911 dispatchers until Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel arrived. Paramedics attempted resuscitation measures before Panettiere was declared dead at 2:32 p.m. Dispatch audio mentioned an overdose, and the Drug Enforcement Administration is involved in the investigation.
Investigation, Autopsy, and Public Scrutiny
The Greenville Coroner’s Office stated that an autopsy revealed no indication of trauma that could have contributed to Panettiere’s death. Investigators are awaiting toxicological test results to officially determine the cause of death, which remains pending. Neither Hickerson brother has been accused of any wrongdoing by authorities.
Zach Hickerson urged the public and media to halt spreading misinformation while the investigation remains ongoing. The truth will come out as the authorities complete and release additional details from the investigation,
Zach said in his statement published by hellomagazine.com. And that is important because the people who loved and adored Hayden deserve the truth.
He added that Panettiere was one of his dearest and closest friends whom he had cared for over the past eight years.
Brian Hickerson’s Legal History and Expungement Denial
The relationship between Panettiere and Brian Hickerson involved a documented history of domestic violence. Court records show Brian was arrested on domestic violence allegations in May 2019 in Los Angeles and in February 2020 in Wyoming. Following a multi-count indictment in July 2020 covering several incidents, he pleaded no contest in April 2021 to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend, receiving a sentence of 45 days in jail, four years of formal probation, mandatory domestic violence classes, and a protective order. Panettiere also detailed abuse in her memoir, This is Me: A Reckoning,
which was released months prior to her passing.
Just three days prior to Panettiere’s death, a Los Angeles judge denied Brian Hickerson’s request to expunge and reduce those past felony convictions, as reported by hindustantimes.com. During the court hearing, a prosecutor opposed the petition by pointing out that Brian had recently appeared in a media interview while visibly under the influence of a stimulant, despite claims of sobriety.
