American actress Hayden Panettiere was found dead in a rental apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16, as police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.
An autopsy performed early in the week ruled out foul play, but authorities are continuing their investigation to establish the exact cause of death. Panettiere, who resided in California, had traveled to the city to celebrate her 37th birthday on August 21, according to statements from several of her close relatives and friends.
Panettiere gained international fame starring as cheerleader Claire Bennet in the NBC television series Heroes and later starred as Juliette Barnes in the drama series Nashville. Greenville is a city located in upstate South Carolina.
Greenville Apartment Investigation
Investigators are examining the role of her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, who was at the scene when she died alongside his brother, Zach Hickerson, celebrity news website TMZ reported on August 18. Hickerson was questioned by police at the rental property but has not been placed in custody.
In a statement sent to TMZ on Thursday, an attorney for Brian Hickerson said the investigation into Panettiere's death continues and should be allowed to take its course. The lawyer added that police confirmed there were no signs of foul play and said no further comment would be made out of respect for her family and the ongoing probe.
Domestic Violence and Legal History
Panettiere had maintained a turbulent relationship with Hickerson since 2018, following her separation from former Ukrainian world heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she shares a daughter. Hickerson describes himself on social media platform Instagram as a real estate agent trying to become an actor.
Hickerson has been arrested multiple times for domestic violence against the actress. In 2021, he received a 45-day prison sentence, serving 13 days, along with four years of probation. In her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, Panettiere wrote that during dark moments in their relationship, Hickerson beat her so severely that she did not leave her home for several weeks.
Three days before Panettiere's death, a California prosecutor rejected a request from Hickerson's lawyer to erase the conviction from his criminal record. The prosecutor denied the expungement because Hickerson was arrested twice in August 2025, including at least once while under the influence of an illegal substance. During the hearing, the prosecutor also noted that Hickerson appeared to be under the influence of a stimulant in a recent TMZ video interview.
Although Panettiere's spokesperson stated last spring that the couple had broken up and remained friends, questions remained over whether they had reunited.
Account of the Final Hours
Zach Hickerson provided details about the events leading to her death in a statement sent to TMZ on Friday. He said he went to the rental apartment because he had been unable to reach his brother, with whom he was scheduled to attend church.
Zach Hickerson said he knocked loudly, waking his brother from a nap the couple were taking on a sofa bed in the living room. When they attempted to wake Panettiere for lunch, they realized she was unresponsive.
Zach Hickerson said he immediately called emergency services on 911 while Brian Hickerson administered Narcan, a medication used to counter opioid overdoses. The brothers performed CPR until firefighters arrived and attempted to save her life. Expressing that he was devastated by the loss of a close friend of eight years, Zach Hickerson urged an end to speculation and sensationalism while the investigation proceeds.
Family Concerns and History
Panettiere's mother, Leslie Vogel, spoke out about Hickerson during an interview on NBC on August 18. Vogel said the man her family had tried to distance her from for some time was with her daughter at the time of her death.
Vogel added that she and Panettiere's father had long been concerned about Hickerson, stating they knew he had supplied the actress with drugs on multiple occasions in the past.
