Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother Zach Hickerson were present at the South Carolina apartment where the actress tragically passed away, as revealed in a police report made public on Tuesday. A police officer arrived at the residence on Sunday afternoon and found the Hickerson brothers alongside paramedics administering CPR to an unresponsive woman. Despite efforts to revive her, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m. The cause of death is still unknown, and investigations are ongoing. A recent autopsy did not show any signs of physical trauma, and authorities have not found evidence of foul play. Panettiere, aged 36, had a tumultuous relationship with Brian Hickerson, who faced allegations of physical abuse against her. Hickerson was previously charged with multiple counts of felony abuse, ultimately pleading no contest to two counts of injuring a spouse or partner, resulting in a brief jail term. He later completed probation, anger management, and Alcoholics Anonymous sessions but was denied a request to reduce his conviction to misdemeanors. Panettiere’s ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, expressed deep sorrow over her untimely death, emphasizing her significance in his life as the mother of their daughter, Kaya. The couple welcomed Kaya in 2014 and later separated, with Klitschko gaining full custody due to Panettiere’s struggles with addiction and postpartum depression. Panettiere’s public struggles were detailed in her recently released memoir, where she candidly discussed her challenges with fame, addiction, and mental health. Tributes from colleagues and friends continue to pour in for the beloved actress, with co-stars and industry figures remembering her talent and spirit. Panettiere’s impact was felt not only through her roles in popular shows like “Heroes” and “Nashville” but also in her earlier work as a child actor.
