Brian Hickerson, Hayden Panettiere’s Ex, Releases Statement

Brian Hickerson has spoken out for the first time through a lawyer since the death of his ex and actress Hayden Panettiere. TMZ published the statement from Hickerson on August 20, writing, “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. Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.” He was her on-again, off-again boyfriend since 2018.

He and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were with her at the time of her death at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, according to the New York Times. They called 911 when Panettierre became unresponsive, with the Times reporting that he became emotional when paramedics were unable to revive her. Greenville Police Department stated on August 17 that in the preliminary investigation, police did not suspect “any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.”

Panettiere wrote in her memoir about their tumultuous relationship, where she spoke about the good and the abusive behavior from Brian. “He screams at me to run as far as I can in five seconds because I’ll need a head start before he throws the remote control at me,” she wrote in one chapter. “This is a man who doesn’t miss, I think. And he doesn’t. The remote control hits my face like it’s been thrown by a minor league pitcher.” She remembered “the good times” with him, but emphasized that the bad moments left her with “scars.”