Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Police Report Details Boyfriend’s Presence When Hayden Panettiere Died
Hayden Panettiere was found unresponsive at an apartment in South Carolina.
Her former boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother Zach were there when police arrived.
Emergency workers tried to revive her with CPR.
She was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m.
Officials have not yet determined exactly how she died.
An autopsy found no signs of physical trauma.
Police said they saw no signs of foul play.
The report is heavily redacted, including parts of Brian’s conversation with police and a medication list.
Hickerson had previously pleaded no contest to two charges involving injury to a spouse or partner.
Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach were at Panettiere’s South Carolina apartment when responders arrived.
Paramedics performed CPR on Panettiere before declaring her dead at 2:31 p.m.
Authorities have not determined the official cause of death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
An autopsy found no trauma, while police reported no signs of foul play.
Hickerson previously pleaded no contest to two charges involving injury to a spouse or partner.
- Who
- Actor Hayden Panettiere; Brian Hickerson; Zach Hickerson; Greenville police and emergency responders.
- What
- Panettiere died after being found unresponsive at an apartment where Hickerson and his brother were present.
- When
- The incident occurred on August 16, described in the reports as Sunday afternoon; Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m.
- Where
- Judson Mill Lofts in Greenville, South Carolina.
- Why
- The cause of death remains undetermined, and authorities are continuing their investigation.
Official Findings
Relationship History
Cause and circumstances of death
Official Findings
Authorities have not determined the cause of death; the autopsy found no trauma, and police reported no signs of foul play.
Relationship History
Panettiere and Hickerson had a turbulent relationship, and Hickerson previously faced allegations and criminal charges involving physical abuse of her.
Public account of the scene
Official Findings
The report says Zach was emotional while emergency workers treated Panettiere, while Brian became emotional after she was pronounced dead.
Relationship History
The heavily redacted report does not provide a complete public account because parts of Brian’s conversation with police and a medication list were withheld.
- Age
- Panettiere was 36 and would have turned 37 shortly after her death.
- Emergency response
- Paramedics performed CPR before declaring Panettiere dead at 2:31 p.m.
- People at scene
- Brian Hickerson and Zach Hickerson were at the apartment when responders arrived.
- Official cause
- Authorities have not determined Panettiere’s official cause of death.
- Autopsy
- The autopsy found no signs of trauma.
- Police assessment
- Police reported no signs of foul play.
- Prior case
- Brian Hickerson pleaded no contest to two counts of injuring a spouse or partner and received probation, anger-management requirements and Alcoholics Anonymous sessions.
Sources
Hayden Panettiere’s On-And-Off Boyfriend Brian Hickerson Was At Apartment When She Died, Police Report Reveals New Details
Hayden Panettiere's 'Abusive' Ex-Boyfriend Brian Hickerson, His Brother Were At Scene When She Died: Police Report