Hayden Panettiere Dies at 37: Police Report Details Brother's Presence at Apartment

Hayden Panettiere was found unresponsive at her South Carolina apartment over the weekend and later declared dead at 2:31 p.m. on Sunday. Authorities are investigating the cause of death, but an autopsy revealed no signs of trauma.

Police Report Reveals Brother's Involvement

According to a police report released Tuesday, Brian Hickerson, Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present at the apartment when authorities responded to the call. A Greenville police officer noted observing paramedics performing CPR on Panettiere.

Relationship History and Allegations

Panettiere and Hickerson have been involved in a tumultuous relationship for years, with allegations of physical abuse. Hickerson was charged in 2020 with felony abuse and pleaded no contest to two counts of injuring a spouse. He served a short jail sentence and is currently under four years of probation and required to attend anger management and Alcoholics Anonymous sessions.

Autopsy and Investigation

The autopsy found no obvious physical reasons for Panettiere’s unresponsiveness, and police found no evidence of foul play. A list of medications Panettiere was taking has been redacted from the police report. Panettiere, a former child star known for roles in Heroes and Nashville, would have turned 37 on Friday. She wrote about her struggles with addiction and depression in her memoir, This Is Me, released in May.

Brother's Account

Zach Hickerson reportedly appeared emotional while paramedics were attending to Panettiere, while Brian Hickerson did not show emotion until authorities confirmed her death. Details of conversations with Brian Hickerson are redacted in the report.