Hayden Panettiere's lover Brian Hickerson gives curt six-word response as he publicly addresses the actress's death for the first time

Hayden Panettiere's on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson has publicly commented on her death for the first time.

Hickerson, 37, was asked by a photographer how he was holding up amid the tough times as he filled up his tank at a gas station in Greenville, South Carolina, E! News reported on Wednesday.

He responded, 'How do you think I'm doing?' to the photographer, who offered their condolences a month after Panettiere's death at 36 on August 16 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, in what authorities said was a suspected drug 'overdose.'

Hickerson, who was present with his brother Zach when first responders arrived at the home, then said, 'Appreciate it – that's all I got for you, man.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Hickerson's legal representatives for further comment.

Hickerson's attorney, Sloan Ellis, said in a statement on August 20 that 'Hayden's death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed.

'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,' he added.

Hickerson has made headlines in recent days after a series of tumultuous events.

On Saturday, he was seen being handcuffed by police officers after an incident at the Greenville, South Carolina, restaurant Wild Wing Cafe, in which sources told TMZ that he and his brother clashed with other patrons after they had been heckled over Panettiere's death.

In the aftermath of the conflict, Hickerson was seen in video throwing a barstool, and while in handcuffs he shouted: 'GPD leaked it when my girlfriend died.'

In the incident, his brother Zach was taken into custody in connection with disorderly conduct.

Then, when he went to pick his brother up from jail on Sunday, Hickerson was involved in an auto accident while he was riding a Suzuki Hayabusa with his sibling on the back.

Zach was seen limping after he was thrown from the motorcycle in the wake of the incident, and was later spotted speaking with the other motorist.

A source close to Hickerson told The Daily Mail earlier this week that 'Brian is not dealing with things well' and 'is all kinds of f***ed up right now.'

On Wednesday, a representative for Panettiere said that the probe into her passing is still underway, amid reports that she had fatally consumed an oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl.

Panettiere's representative said in a statement: 'As reported yesterday by the Greenville County Coroner's Office, Hayden's death remains under investigation pending the completion of toxicology results, despite reports from some outlets stating otherwise.

'Recent reports attributed to unnamed sources are unverified hearsay and have contributed to conflicting information that continues to circulate.'

The statement continued: 'While we are all eager to find closure and better understand the circumstances surrounding her passing, we must remain patient and allow the investigative process to unfold.'

The late Heroes star's representative concluded by saying that 'the answers we are all seeking will come.'

Earlier this week, insiders told TMZ that Panettiere's Los Angeles residence had been searched by Drug Enforcement Administration agents on August 25.

The search was part of an effort to obtain evidence to uncover the source of the narcotics that killed Panettiere, sources said.

On Monday, insiders told the outlet that the late actress had consumed a single pill on the day she died, which officials think had been oxycodone containing the potentially deadly narcotic fentanyl.

Panettiere had a ' long-time drug dealer' in Los Angeles whom she obtained narcotics from illegally, including oxycodone, sources told the outlet.

Authorities said that the day before her passing, Panettiere had taken multiple drugs she bought in Los Angeles before flying to South Carolina, where she was found dead the next day.

On the day of her death, first responders arrived at a condo in Greenville, where attempts were made to resuscitate the actress before she was pronounced dead.

Authorities said in a report that Hickerson had given authorities a 'bag of medication' that Panettiere had.