GRENVILLE, S.C.

Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, along with his brother Zach, were present at the South Carolina apartment where the actress passed away over the weekend, as detailed in a police report released recently.

When officers arrived at the scene on Sunday afternoon, they found the brothers there and observed paramedics attempting CPR on a woman who was unresponsive. The report indicated that there appeared to be no obvious physical reason for her condition. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, paramedics declared Panettiere dead at 2:31 p.m.

The cause of death is still undetermined, and an investigation is ongoing. An autopsy revealed no signs of trauma, and authorities reported no evidence of criminal activity.

Panettiere, who gained fame on TV shows like “Heroes” and “Nashville,” struggled with alcoholism and depression and would have celebrated her 37th birthday on Friday.

A Troubled Relationship

Her relationship with Brian Hickerson has been tumultuous, marred by claims of physical abuse. Hickerson, 37, faced multiple felony charges in 2020 and ultimately pleaded no contest to two counts of domestic violence, serving time in prison. He was placed on probation and required to attend anger management and Alcoholics Anonymous sessions.

Recently, he requested a judge to reduce his conviction to a misdemeanor, but a Los Angeles judge denied the request last Thursday. A message seeking comment was sent to Hickerson’s attorney.

In her memoir, “This Is Me,” published in May, Panettiere expressed her hopes that Hickerson’s time in prison would lead to his transformation. She recounted wanting him to admit his wrongdoing without facing permanent psychological damage.

She described their meeting in 2018 at a West Hollywood restaurant, sharing how she recognized his “appealing smile” and chose to forgive him, putting aside past grievances.

The police report, which has several sections redacted, mentions that officers first spoke with Zach, who identified the unresponsive woman as his brother’s girlfriend. Witnesses noted that Zach exhibited strong emotions during the paramedic’s efforts, while Brian did not show visible distress until after she was pronounced dead.

Officers later spoke more extensively with Brian, but details from that conversation remain confidential in the report. A list of Panettiere’s medications was also compiled at the scene.

Criticism from Panettiere’s Mother

Panettiere’s mother, Leslie Vogel, has been openly critical of Hickerson. In her memoir, Panettiere candidly discussed her struggles with addiction, revealing her battles with alcoholism and postnatal depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya, with Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko in 2014.

Kaya, now 11, began living primarily with Klitschko in Ukraine when she was two, during a time when he faced his own mental health challenges. Panettiere entered rehab in 2015 while still on “Nashville.”

“There’s this misconception that I just gave up my child,” she remarked in an interview in May, emphasizing that this was far from the truth.

In a statement Tuesday, Klitschko assured that he would ensure Kaya remembers her mother. He acknowledged Panettiere’s impressive career and the adverse effects of an industry that can be very demanding.

Throughout her life, Panettiere dealt with familial turmoil and heartbreak. Her parents’ marriage ultimately collapsed, and her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, passed away earlier this year at 28 due to heart disease.

A Career That Started Early

Panettiere grew up in a prominent family, with her father Skip Panettiere having been a New York City fire chief and her mother Leslie Vogel a former soap opera actress who played a critical role in her early career prior to their estrangement. She began acting in commercials and soap operas, gaining notoriety for her role as Lizzie Spalding in “Guiding Light.” In her memoir, she connected the trauma of her character’s experiences with her own life’s challenges.

She fondly recalled her breakout role as a cheerleader with extraordinary powers in “Heroes,” which popularized the slogan, “Save the cheerleader, save the world.” This role earned her multiple Teen Choice Awards. Panettiere also received a Grammy nomination for her spoken word album aimed at children.

More recently, she starred as a rising country music star in “Nashville,” where she performed her own songs and landed several hits on the country charts. The show garnered her two Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress, solidifying her standing in the entertainment industry.