The late Hayden Panettiere’s on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson reportedly offered brief public comments one month after the former Heroes star’s shocking death at age 36.
Hickerson, 36, was approached by a photographer outside of a gas station in Greenville, South Carolina, on Wednesday, September 16, and was asked how he was holding up, per footage obtained by E! News.
“How do you think I’m doing?” Hickerson retorted.
When the photographer extended condolences, Hickerson replied, “Appreciate it. That’s all I got for you, man.”
The tense interaction occurred one month after Panettiere died inside a Greenville residence on August 16. A police report obtained by Us confirmed that Brian and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present at the scene of Panettiere’s death.
This initial police report indicated that investigators found “no signs of trauma,” though a cause of death has yet to be determined. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office offered an update on its investigation on Monday, September 14, amid TMZ’s reporting that police suspect that Panettiere took one oxycodone pill that was laced with fentanyl.
“We have not released anything at this time. We will send out an email release when ready,” the Coroner’s Office told Fox Carolina on Monday.
The late actress’ spokesperson told Us in a statement this week, “As reported yesterday by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, Hayden’s death remains under investigation pending the completion of toxicology results, despite reports from some outlets stating otherwise.”
“Recent reports attributed to unnamed sources are unverified hearsay and have attributed to conflicting information that continues to circulate,” her rep’s statement continued. “While we are all eager to find closure and better understand the circumstances surrounding her passing, we must remain patient and allow the investigative process to unfold. The answers we are all seeking will come.”
Panettiere wrote about her allegedly volatile relationship with Brian in her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, which was released less than three months before her death.
A 2020 domestic violence incident between Brian and Panettiere in Wyoming resulted in the two breaking off their relationship, yet the Hickerson brothers were reportedly present at the scene when the Nashville alum was found dead in August. (Brian was sentenced to 45 days in county jail in 2021 after pleading no contest to two felony counts of injuring a partner. He was also required to complete four years of formal probation and 52 domestic violence classes, pay $500 in restitution, and obey a five-year protective order as part of his plea.)
Brian initially broke his silence over his on-off girlfriend’s death in a statement released to Us through his lawyer Sloan Ellis on August 20.
“It is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” Brian’s lawyer told Us. “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.”
Since that time, Brian was briefly detained by police for allegedly throwing a barstool and his brother, Zach, was arrested for disorderly conduct following an alleged altercation with others at a South Carolina bar on Saturday, September 12. TMZ reported that the incident occurred when the brothers were “heckled” over “Hayden’s death” by bar patrons.
Zach offered his side of the story while speaking to TMZ outside of the Greenville County Detention Center on Sunday, September 13, after being released on bond.
“It’s super frustrating. All that we’ve been through and all the rumors that get started, and then people believe them,” he said. “And then they attack as a result of the rumors. That’s what pisses me off.”
A Greenville police spokesperson confirmed that Brian was released at the scene without facing any charges.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
