Hayden Panettiere died on August 16 at age 36. As of Thursday, the investigation into her death involves federal drug agents, and the attorney for her on-again, off-again boyfriend has issued a public statement asking for the process to play out.
According to a report by ABC News, Brian Hickerson's attorney shared a statement Thursday, 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." The statement added, "Out of respect for Hayden's loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time."
The Greenville City Police Department in South Carolina is leading the investigation. The Drug Enforcement Administration joined the case on Wednesday and is assisting local police. A representative for Panettiere also issued a brief statement Thursday following the DEA's involvement but offered nothing specific, writing only that there was nothing to be shared while the investigation continued.
A police report obtained by ABC News confirmed that Hickerson was present when Panettiere died. His brother, Zach Hickerson, was also there. The report noted that an officer observed Zach Hickerson to be visibly distressed while emergency medical workers were on scene. "I observed Zach to be very emotional while EMS were working on Hayden," the officer wrote in the police report. "Brian did not become emotional until EMS declared her officially deceased. Medic 24 and S4 were on scene performing life saving measures." The report also stated that Brian Hickerson showed officers a bag of medication that Panettiere had been taking.
Panettiere was known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville, and Ice Princess, among other projects. She and Hickerson began dating in the late summer of 2018, after her split from former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she shares a daughter, Kaya.
Their relationship had a documented history of violence. Hickerson pleaded no contest in April 2021 to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend. In 2020, Panettiere spoke about the abuse publicly, telling Good Morning America in a statement: "I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve. I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again." She also said, "I'm grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life."
Just days before Panettiere's death, a California judge denied Hickerson's petition to reduce his felony domestic violence convictions to misdemeanors and to have the case expunged from his record. That request was denied on August 13, 2026. The investigation into Panettiere's death remains ongoing.
