Panettiere Death Investigation
Hayden Panettiere Died at Home with Boyfriend Present; Autopsy Shows No Trauma
Hayden Panettiere, the actress best known for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," died over the weekend at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, according to Las Vegas Sun. A police report now confirms that her on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother Zach Hickerson were present at the apartment when she died.
No cause of death has been determined. An autopsy found no signs of trauma, and investigators say there is no sign of foul play, according to WPXI. The case remains under active investigation.
Brian Hickerson Named in Police Report at Scene
Hickerson had a long, troubled history with Panettiere. The two dated on and off for several years. He was previously convicted of physically abusing her. Despite that history, the two remained in contact, and he was with her at the time of her death, WHIO reported.
His brother Zach Hickerson was also at the apartment, according to the police report. Authorities have not named either man as a suspect. Investigators say the evidence so far does not suggest foul play was involved.
Panettiere Wrote About Hickerson in Her Memoir
In her memoir, "This Is Me," Panettiere opened up about the abuse she suffered at Hickerson's hands. She wrote that she hoped his time in prison would change him, according to KSAT. The book gave a rare public look into one of Hollywood's most troubled relationships.
Hickerson served jail time after being convicted on multiple counts of felony domestic violence. Panettiere publicly supported his prosecution but later rekindled the relationship, a pattern common in abusive relationships and one she acknowledged in her book.
Autopsy Finds No Trauma, Cause Still Unknown
Authorities performed an autopsy but have not released a cause of death. The results showed no signs of trauma to her body, Houston Chronicle reported. Toxicology and other lab results are typically pending for several weeks.
Panettiere was 35 years old. She had spoken publicly in recent years about her struggles with addiction and health issues. Her death shocked fans and former co-stars across the entertainment world.
A Career That Spanned Decades, From Child Star to TV Icon
Panettiere began acting as a child and became a household name in 2006 when she joined the NBC hit "Heroes," playing cheerleader Claire Bennet. She later starred in ABC's "Nashville" as country singer Juliette Barnes, earning wide critical praise, according to News4Jax.
Her personal struggles often overshadowed her professional success in later years. She battled postpartum depression, substance abuse, and the fallout from her relationship with Hickerson. Despite those challenges, she remained a beloved figure to millions of fans.
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