Police in Greenville, South Carolina, obtained a bag of medication from Brian Hickerson, the on-and-off boyfriend of actor Hayden Panettiere, following her death at an Airbnb on August 16, according to a police report. Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present at the scene when first responders attempted to revive Panettiere after she was found unresponsive, the report states.
Emergency workers declared Panettiere dead at 2:31 p.m. after lifesaving measures failed. The Greenville Police Department confirmed no signs of foul play or trauma were observed at the scene, and an autopsy revealed no immediate cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities reviewing the circumstances surrounding her death.
Hickerson’s presence and actions
Hickerson, who had a long-standing and tumultuous relationship with Panettiere, was among those who called 911 after finding her unresponsive. According to the police report, Zach Hickerson appeared "very emotional" during the resuscitation attempt, while Hickerson did not show visible distress until Panettiere was declared deceased. Authorities also noted that Hickerson provided them with a bag of medication that Panettiere had allegedly been taking, though the contents or relevance of the medication have not been disclosed.
The Hickerson brothers were staying at a separate residence linked to their grandmother, Betty Ellison, approximately five miles from the Airbnb where Panettiere died. On August 19, two Greenville police officers conducted a welfare check at the Ellison home, though they did not receive a response and left after inspecting the property. Earlier that morning, officers had made two separate calls to the residence within an hour and a half.
Background on the relationship
Panettiere and Hickerson’s relationship, which began in 2018, was marked by periods of separation and reconciliation. In 2020, Hickerson was charged with multiple counts of felony abuse against Panettiere, pleading no contest to two counts of injuring a spouse or partner. He served a short jail sentence and was sentenced to four years of probation, along with mandatory anger management and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The couple briefly split in 2022 but reportedly rekindled their relationship in 2023. At the time of her death, the status of their relationship remained unclear.
Panettiere, who rose to fame as a child actor and later starred in Heroes and Nashville, had publicly discussed her struggles with alcohol addiction and depression. She would have turned 37 on August 21.
Investigation status
Authorities have not released further details about the medication provided by Hickerson or whether it played a role in Panettiere’s death. The Greenville Police Department continues to investigate, with no cause of death confirmed as of the latest update. The case remains under review, and additional information is pending.