Hayden Panettiere’s death has placed renewed attention on the people around her in her final hours. Brian Hickerson, her former on-and-off boyfriend, was present when she died, and his attorney has now addressed the investigation while urging the public to let authorities complete their work.
Brian Hickerson’s attorney responds as Hayden Panettiere’s investigation continues
Hickerson’s lawyer gave ABC News a short statement Thursday, emphasizing that investigators have not finished examining what happened. “Hayden’s death remains under investigation, and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed, he explained.
The attorney also pointed to police reports that found no indication of foul play and said Hickerson would not discuss the matter further out of respect for Panettiere’s family and the ongoing case. “There will be no further comment at this time,” the statement said.
The circumstances have drawn attention, in part, because of Hickerson’s history with Panettiere. The pair began dating in 2018 after her relationship with her former fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, ended. Panettiere later publicly accused Hickerson of DA, telling Good Morning America in 2020 that she hoped speaking about her experience would “empower others.”
Hickerson pleaded no contest in 2021 to two felony counts involving injuries to a spouse or girlfriend. More recently, a California judge rejected his August 13, 2026, request to reduce those felony convictions to misdemeanors and erase the case from his record. The ruling came just days before Panettiere’s death.
A police report that ABC News obtained also places Hickerson and his brother, Zach, inside the South Carolina apartment where officers found Panettiere unresponsive. Officers documented that Zach became visibly “emotional” while emergency crews attempted to revive the actress.
Panettiere died on August 16 at 36. The Greenville City Police in South Carolina remains the lead agency investigating her death. While the DEA joined the probe on Wednesday. A representative for Panettiere separately told ABC News, “There’s nothing to be shared at this time.” Further adding that the family hopes justice will follow as investigators continue their work.
Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on Mandatory.
