Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend 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. A Greenville police officer arrived at the residence on Sunday to find the brothers and witnessed paramedics administering CPR to an unresponsive woman. The officer mentioned that there were no apparent physical causes for the woman’s unresponsiveness. Despite efforts to save her, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m.
Panettiere, aged 36, and Brian Hickerson had a tumultuous relationship, with allegations of physical abuse against the 37-year-old. Hickerson faced charges of felony abuse in 2020, to which he pleaded no contest and served a brief jail term. He was subsequently placed on probation, attended anger management sessions, and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. His recent request to downgrade his conviction to misdemeanors was denied by a Los Angeles judge last Thursday.
The police report, heavily redacted, revealed that Zach Hickerson identified the unresponsive woman as his brother’s girlfriend. The officer noted Zach’s emotional state during the emergency response, with Brian showing emotions only after Panettiere was declared deceased. Following her death, the officer escorted the Hickerson brothers out of the apartment. Details of the conversation with Brian were redacted, as well as the list of medications Panettiere was taking.
Panettiere’s ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, expressed his sorrow over her sudden passing. Klitschko, the father of their daughter, shared a heartfelt statement on Instagram, emphasizing Panettiere’s importance in his life despite the end of their relationship. The couple welcomed their daughter in 2014, and after their split in 2018, Klitschko was granted full custody due to Panettiere’s struggles with addiction and postpartum depression.
The actress, who would have turned 37 soon, had openly discussed her personal challenges in her recent memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” She addressed issues such as early fame, addiction, and postpartum depression, shedding light on her experiences. Panettiere’s custody arrangement for her daughter with Klitschko was also a topic of discussion, clarifying misconceptions about her parental role.
Tributes continue to flood in for Panettiere, with co-stars and industry figures mourning her loss. The late actor’s impact on those who worked with her, including colleagues from “Heroes” and “Nashville,” is evident through heartfelt messages shared online. Panettiere’s career, which began in childhood and flourished in notable roles, is remembered fondly by those who knew her both personally and professionally.