Authorities are looking into potential criminal elements surrounding Hayden Panettiere’s death.
On Wednesday, TMZ shared that law enforcement officials expressed doubts that her passing was solely due to a prescription drug overdose, indicating they were exploring other possible factors leading to this unfortunate event.
The investigation, spearheaded by the Greenville police, seems to be focusing on her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, who was present at the scene when she was declared dead.
TMZ also reported that police visited Hickerson’s family home Wednesday morning, although the nature of their conversation remains undisclosed.
Sources within law enforcement noted that the investigation was triggered by the circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death, particularly her young age of just 36 and the fact that it was deemed “unexpected.”
While an autopsy has been completed showing no clear signs of trauma, toxicology results are still awaited, according to TMZ.
When responders arrived, Hickerson and his brother were reportedly inside the apartment while they attempted to revive Panettiere, who at that point was unresponsive.
NBC News indicated that Hickerson only began to show emotion following the pronouncement of her death, while his brother was visibly distressed during the entire ordeal. It was reported that Hickerson claimed he had prepared a “bag of drugs” that he was using at the time.
Leslie Vogel, Panettiere’s mother, spoke out on Tuesday, placing significant blame on Hickerson.
“This person that we had been trying to get out of her life for quite some time was with her at the time of her death, and that was Brian Hickerson,” she told NBC News.
Vogel highlighted concerns about Hickerson’s repeated involvement in her daughter’s life, stating, “There’s a lot of history of Brian helping Hayden many times in the past, which is why her father and I have been worried about him for so long.”
In her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” published in May, Panettiere recounted a troubling instance of domestic violence during her relationship with Hickerson, who was subsequently arrested and received probation after being issued a restraining order.
On August 17, just three days prior to her death, Page 6 reported that a judge denied Hickerson’s request to lessen his previous felony charges.
The investigation continues.
