Hayden Panettiere’s Boyfriend Brian Hickerson Speaks Out on Her Death

Sep 17, 2026 - 04:21

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Hayden Panettiere’s Boyfriend Brian Hickerson Speaks Out on Her Death

Hayden Panettiere’s Boyfriend Brian Hickerson Speaks Out One Month After Her Death

Brian Hickerson is publicly addressing Hayden Panettiere's death.

The 37-year-old—who, along with his brother Zach Hickerson, was with the Heroes actress in South Carolina at the time of her Aug. 16 passing—spoke out about the tragedy for the first time.

While stopping at a gas station in Greenville, S.C., on Sept 16, Brian shared in an exclusive video obtained by E! News, "How do you think I'm doing?"

And when a photographer extended his condolences, Brian replied, "Appreciate it. That's all I got for you, man."

These comments from the aspiring actor come nearly a month after his attorney Sloan Ellis released a statement to E! News on his behalf.

"Hayden's death remains under investigation," the message read, "and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed," adding that there would be no further comment at this time "out of respect for Hayden's loved ones."

Hayden's family are still awaiting answers about her final hours and the circumstances of her death. The late 36-year-old was found unresponsive due to cardiac arrest by EMS, who "attempted to perform life saving methods for an extended amount of time," an incident report obtained by E! News showed.

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While the cause and manner of death are pending amid the investigation, Greenville County Coroner Mike Ellis' autopsy report, obtained by E! News, showed that "no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death." In addition, 911 dispatch audio reported by multiple outlets indicates that paramedics assessed an apparent overdose.

Officers on the scene detailed Brian's presence at the time in a death investigation report. Per the record, Brian "did not become emotional" until Hayden was pronounced dead, though his brother Zach—who identified his brother Brian as Hayden's boyfriend—was "very emotional" while responders attempted to save her life.

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Brian also showed authorities a "bag of medication" that he alleged belonged to the Nashville alum, stating that Hayden was taking the medication leading up to the fatal incident.

Before reconvening her relationship with Brian—that had been on and off again since 2018—Hayden had told E! News in May that she was single.

The tumultuous relationship had been marked with legal woes due to a domestic violence incident in 2020. Brian was sentenced to 45 days in jail after pleading no contest to two counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend.

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After Hayden's death, her mother Lesley Vogel also spoke out, telling Entertainment Tonight Aug. 20 that she and Hayden were estranged "due to the involvement of a toxic individual."

She alleged that Brian's romantic relationship with her daughter was a source of contention.

"This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death," she told NBC News Aug. 18, "and that was Brian Hickerson.”

For more about the investigation into Hayden’s death, read on.

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When Did Hayden Panettiere Die?

Hayden Panettiere died in Greenville, South Carolina, on Aug. 16. She was 36.

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How Did Hayden Panettiere Die?

After receiving a 911 call at around 1:51 p.m. on Aug. 16, first responders and emergency medical services arrived at a residence in Greenville and found a woman—later identified as Panettiere—in cardiac arrest, according to a release shared by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office the following day.

While "advanced cardiac life support measures" were provided, the release continued, the "resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful" as Panettiere was unresponsive. The actress was pronounced dead at the scene a little after 2:30 p.m.

In audio of the emergency dispatch call obtained by CNN and TMZ, EMS responders can be heard discussing an apparent overdose.

However, the official cause and manner of death have yet to be released as the coroner's office and Greenville City Police Department continue their investigations.

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What Has Hayden Panettiere's Autopsy Revealed So Far?

In its Aug. 17 release, the coroner's office confirmed an autopsy was completed and that "no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death" of the Heroes star.

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Who Was With Hayden Panettiere When She Died?

The Greenville City Police Department noted in its Aug. 17 release that "an acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call," with a redacted police report obtained by E! listing both Brian Hickerson—her on-again, off-again boyfriend since 2018— and his brother Zach Hickerson as the ones to call 911.

Zach later told officers investigating Panettiere's death that she was Brian's girlfriend, according to Greenville City PD's report.

Zach also shared in an Aug. 21 statement to TMZ that Brian gave Panettiere Narcan—an opioid overdose reversal medication—after the pair found the actress unconscious in the apartment she was renting. Zach also said that he and Brian "jointly performed CPR while 911 was on speaker until Fire and EMS arrived."

Police noted in an Aug. 16 release that "the preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances" around her death.

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How Did Brian Hickerson and Zach Hickerson React to Hayden Panettiere's Death?

In the police report, an officer noted Zach was "very emotional while EMS were working on" Panettiere, though
"Brian did not become emotional until EMS declared her officially deceased."

E! News has reached out to Zach for comment but has not heard back. Meanwhile, Brian's attorney Sloan Ellis has spoken out.

"Hayden's death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed," Ellis told E! News Aug. 20. "As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden's loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time."

And while police told People officers "responded to a call for a welfare check at a home belonging to Brian Hickerson’s family" on Aug. 19, they noted "the call is unrelated to the Hayden Panettiere death investigation and did not require an incident report."

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What Has Hayden Panettiere's Family Said About Her Death?

After Panettiere died, her father Skip Panettiere told ABC News she was "an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her—and to the millions who watched her onscreen."

Two days later, her mother Lesley Vogel broke her silence.

"This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death," she told NBC News Aug. 18, "and that was Brian Hickerson."

While Panettiere—whose brother Jansen died in 2023 at ae 28—and her mom had publicly spoken about their estrangement, Vogel remembered her daughter as "an amazingly talented person in so many departments."

"I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry—it is a struggle and it’s a very challenging industry," she added, "and it’s not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path."

Additionally, her ex Wladimir Klitschko addressed his "profound shock and grief" he and their daughter Kaya were facing in the wake of Panettiere's death. The Ukranian boxer further vowed to keep the Nashville alum's legacy alive in Kaya's memory.

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