21 August,2026 07:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Hayden Panettiere`s BF (Pic/Instagram)
American actress Hayden Panettiere, known for playing a cheerleader with superpowers and a country music star on the television shows Heroes and Nashville, respectively, has died at 36. As Hollywood mourns her demise, her friend revealed how the actress suffered severe pain and was unable to move her legs. Now, her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, has broken his silence following the actor's sudden death.
Hickerson, who dated Panettiere on and off since 2018, was at the South Carolina home when she was found unresponsive, along with his brother, Zach Hickerson. Neither brother has been named as a suspect or person of interest in the investigation.
On Thursday, Hickerson's attorney, Sloan Ellis, shared a statement about the ongoing investigation and asked for privacy for Panettiere's loved ones. "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," Ellis said. "Out of respect for Hayden's loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time."
According to a heavily redacted incident report from the Greenville Police Department, Zach identified Panettiere to officers as "his brother's girlfriend". The report also said that Hickerson became very emotional after emergency medical workers were unable to revive her.
Hickerson and Panettiere had a troubled relationship. He was arrested several times in connection with domestic abuse allegations involving the actor and later pleaded no contest to two felony charges linked to an assault against her. Panettiere had also spoken about the abuse she faced during their relationship in her memoir.
Hayden's family shared an emotional statement confirming her death. According to TMZ, paramedics tried to revive Panettiere using emergency medical procedures, including medication, breathing support, and chest compressions, but she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. Authorities were alerted after a friend of the Scream actress called 911. Dispatch audio obtained by PEOPLE reportedly mentioned a possible overdose and cardiac arrest.
Her longtime hairdresser and friend, Erick Orellana, told Page Six that Panettiere was in "really severe" pain and that her condition started affecting her movement. He said, "It was even hard for her to move her legs. I know she suffered earlier this year with her back."
