Panettiere Death Investigation
Hayden Panettiere's Suspected Overdose Death Prompts Ongoing Investigation; Brian Hickerson Present
Key Points
The city clarified that the welfare check at Brian Hickerson's family home was unrelated to Hayden Panettiere's death investigation and did not require an incident report.
Greenville County coroner's office said Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. after EMS efforts, and the autopsy showed no signs of trauma contributing to her death, with toxicology results expected to take weeks.
Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson were inside the Greenville apartment where Panettiere was found when responders arrived.
Police conducted a welfare check at Hickerson's grandmother Betty Ellison's Greenville home days after Panettiere's death, and officers were photographed at the property.
Hayden Panettiere, 35, was found unresponsive in a Greenville, South Carolina apartment and pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m., according to Greenville County Coroner's Office. Authorities are treating the death as a suspected overdose, with Narcan found at the scene and toxicology results expected to take weeks.
Her boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach were inside the apartment when first responders arrived. Hickerson reportedly handed officers a bag of Panettiere's medications. Investigators are now looking into whether any criminal conduct occurred, though no charges have been filed.
Welfare Checks Raise Questions Around Hickerson
Three days after Panettiere's death, police showed up at the Hickerson family home in Greenville. Officers were photographed at the property and stayed for about an hour before leaving, according to The Hollywood Gossip.
Days later, police also conducted a welfare check at the home of Hickerson's grandmother, Betty Ellison, also in Greenville. Officers were again photographed at that property. Greenville city officials were quick to clarify the visits. They said the check at the family home was not tied to Panettiere's death and did not require an incident report, according to Fox Carolina.
Autopsy Finds No Trauma, Toxicology Still Pending
The Greenville County coroner's office said the autopsy showed no signs of trauma that contributed to Panettiere's death. A cause of death has not been confirmed. Full toxicology results could take several weeks to come back, according to Fox Carolina.
Detectives said there were no immediate signs of foul play at the scene. Investigators have not ruled anything out as the probe continues. The presence of Narcan — a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses — at the scene has kept suspicions focused on a possible overdose, according to NY Daily News.
Hickerson's Violent Past Loomed Over Relationship
Hickerson previously faced felony domestic violence charges tied to his relationship with Panettiere. The two had an on-and-off relationship for years. Friends and family had long warned Panettiere about the dangers of staying with him, according to The Daily Beast.
No charges have been filed against Hickerson in connection with Panettiere's death. But his past record and his presence at the scene have drawn scrutiny. Police have not named him as a suspect. The investigation is still active and ongoing.
City Distances Police Visits From Death Probe
Greenville officials moved quickly to separate the welfare checks from the criminal investigation. They confirmed the check at the Hickerson family home was routine and unrelated to Panettiere's death. No incident report was filed, according to Fox Carolina.
The clarification came after photos of officers at the property spread online and fueled speculation. Investigators have not publicly explained what prompted the welfare checks. The death probe remains open as detectives wait for toxicology results to guide next steps, according to film-news.co.uk.
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