Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Hayden Panettiere Reportedly Suffered Pain, Barred Ex From Signing
A newspaper report described difficult experiences Hayden Panettiere faced before her death.
She reportedly had painful sensations in her legs that felt like pins and needles.
Her mother said the pain made it hard for her to walk and function normally.
Panettiere also wrote about an abusive relationship with Brian Hickerson in her memoir.
At a book signing in New York, security was reportedly told not to let Hickerson attend.
Panettiere had also spoken publicly about depression, drinking, and drug addiction.
She was later found dead in South Carolina.
Police initially said they did not suspect foul play, and an early autopsy found no injuries caused by trauma.
The New York Times reported that Hayden Panettiere experienced severe leg pain described as “pins and needles.”
During a May book event at a Manhattan Barnes & Noble, Panettiere reportedly instructed security to keep ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson away.
Panettiere’s memoir described alleged violence by Hickerson, which the newspaper said led to three arrests and jail time.
Her mother, Lesley Vogel, said Panettiere was afraid and struggled to walk during a period of physical pain.
Panettiere, who had discussed depression and addiction, was found dead in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16; police initially suspected no foul play and an initial autopsy found no trauma.
- Who
- Hayden Panettiere, her former boyfriend Brian Hickerson, and her mother Lesley Vogel.
- What
- A report described Panettiere’s physical pain, security measures excluding Hickerson from a book signing, and her history of abuse, depression, and addiction.
- When
- The book event occurred in May; Panettiere was found dead on August 16.
- Where
- The book signing took place at a Barnes & Noble in Manhattan; Panettiere was found in an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina.
- Why
- Security was reportedly instructed to keep Hickerson away, while the reported medical care addressed pain that affected Panettiere’s ability to walk.
- Reported physical symptom
- Pain in Panettiere’s legs described as feeling like “pins and needles.”
- Book
- This Is Me: A Reckoning, released in May.
- Book event
- A May signing at Barnes & Noble in Manhattan.
- Former partner
- Brian Hickerson, whom Panettiere wrote about in connection with alleged violence.
- Reported legal history
- The New York Times said Hickerson was arrested three times and spent time in jail.
- Death investigation
- Panettiere was found dead on August 16; police initially said no foul play was suspected.
- Initial autopsy
- An initial autopsy found no signs of trauma.