Police are checking in on Brian Hickerson‘s family.
Three days after Hayden Panettiere unexpectedly died while in Greenville, S.C., while with Brian and his brother Zach Hickerson, the Greenville Police Department confirmed to People Aug. 19 that officers “responded to a call for a welfare check at a home belonging to Brian Hickerson’s family on Wednesday morning.”
The spokesperson also noted, “The call is unrelated to the Hayden Panettiere death investigation and did not require an incident report.”
E! News has reached out to the Greenville Police Department for comment but has not yet heard back.
On the day of Panettiere’s Aug. 16 death, Brian and Zach were with her and were present while emergency medical services “attempted to perform life saving methods for an extended amount of time,” according to an incident report obtained by E! News.
As EMS arrived, they had begun treatment for an apparent overdose and cardiac arrest, according to dispatch audio obtained by Peopleand TMZ.
Though Zach was described as “very emotional” while EMS was attempting to resuscitate “his brother’s girlfriend,” officers noted that Brian “did not become emotional until EMS declared [Panettiere] deceased,” per the report.
After her death, Greenville County Coroner Mike Ellis completed an autopsy and shared in his report, obtained by E! News, that “no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death.”
Ellis also emphasized that “the cause and manner of death remain pending” as an investigation into the Heroes alum’s death “remains active and ongoing.”
Before she died, E! News learned that Panettiere had traveled with Brian from Los Angeles to South Carolina. The pair had shared a tumultuous, on-and-off relationship since 2018, during which Brian was arrested multiple times on charges of domestic violence.
While he pleaded not guilty in 2020 to domestic battery against Panettiere, Brian later pleaded no contest to other charges from July 2020, including two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend, according to a spokesperson for the LA District Attorney’s Office. He was sentenced to 45 days in county jail. (All other charges were dropped or dismissed.)
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Panettiere and Brian reconnected after he served his sentence and remained in touch in the years since.
After the Nashville actress’ death, her mom Lesley Vogelemphasized her family’s attempt to separate her daughter from Brian.
“This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death,” she told NBC News on Aug. 18, “and that was Brian Hickerson.”
“I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments,” the 70-year-old continued, “and I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry—it is a struggle and it’s a very challenging industry and it’s not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path.”
E! News reached out to Brian’s attorney for comment but hasn’t heard back.
For a look back at how Panettiere’s friends and former costars paid tribute to her, keep reading…
Snow honored her Guiding Light costar with a throwback of them as girls, when they played stepsisters on the soap opera.”I was lucky enough to play your sister for 3 years. I related to you so much in so many ways. Ways that I never even told you,” Snow shared on her Instagram Story.”Your talent was remarkable & so was your determination to be a bold, bright shining light. And you were. Always supportive, curious, funny and brave.”She added, “You will always be remembered undoubtedly for your undeniable strength and spirit.”
“Sweet Hayden. Really tough hearing this news,” the Lizzie McGuire alum wrote on Instagram. “We lost touch through the years but I will always remember you as so hardworking and effervescent, with that big, gorgeous smile. I remember staying up late, chatting and gossiping, and connecting because we were part of such a small sliver of people who actually understood the strange lot in life we were navigating.. so young, with no real idea how to make sense of any of it.I so deeply wish this wasn’t the end for you.”Duff ended with, “Sending a heart full of love to your family, the many people you impacted and everyone who loved you. rest easy.”
“This was Hayden. Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright,” Britton wrote alongside photos of the two starring on Nashville together. “I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak. I love you girl. Sleep easy now.”
Her Racing Stripes costar wrote on X, “Very sad to hear about Hayden. I got to work with her on many projects and always had an absolutely great time with her. I have so many amazing stories and memories with her. I hope she rests in peace.”Advertisement
The Wednesday actress shared the news of Panettiere’s death to her Instagram Story, writing, “This is such a devastating loss. Rest well.”
“Be. Kind,” she wrote alongside a photo of Panettiere and late Ice Pincess costar Michelle Trachtenberg. “You never know what others are going through. Thank you to both these women for all the joy you brought so many.”
The Ice Princess star—who played Panettiere’s mom in the 2005 Disney film—shared a photo from the movie and a touching note to the late actress.”Rest in peace sweet Hayden,” Cattrall wrote on Instagram. “Gone far too soon.”
“Today is heavy,” she wrote Aug. 17. “We lost one of the most talented and beautiful actors. Hayden was the girl growing up that you aspired to be. She was talented, smart, and later in life shared her flaws and struggles to make people feel less alone. She shared so much of herself for so long. Rest in peace.”Advertisement
“So sad to hear of Hayden’s passing,” he wrote on Instgram. “She played my girlfriend on Commander in Chief then I went over to her show and played her boyfriend on S1 of Heroes. We always had a great time on set and tons of laughs… Man, just too young.”
“Heartbroken over the loss of Hayden,” he shared. “I’ll always remember her warmth & beautiful spirit. Having known her family makes this loss feel especially personal. I’m holding Lesley, Skip & Kaya close to my heart. Rest peacefully, you will be deeply missed.”
The actress said that Panettiere’s death “hurts.””Hayden was always such a sweetheart- so rad – down to earth, kind, and consistently the same every time I saw her,” Manning wrote. “We shared so many funny little moments over the years… I don’t really have words for what has happened and she is suddenly gone. I’m just grateful I got to know her and have memories like this.”
Milano remembered Panettiere for her activism “in service of things larger than herself.””Perhaps most quietly powerful, she spoke openly about what so many are taught to hide: domestic violence, postpartum depression, addiction, recovery, and abuse,” she wrote. “She did not share these things for ease or attention, but because she understood what her silence could cost others.”She added, “Her activism was not polished or performative. It was instinctive, human, sometimes messy, often vulnerable, and always sincere. She was willing to be uncomfortable, to be misunderstood, and to speak before the world was ready to listen.”Advertisement
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody alum—who worked with Panettiere as voice actors in the Kingdom Hearts video game franchise—shared a tearful reflection.”I just wanted to acknowledge the tremendous loss, not only for the Kingdom Hearts family, but of course all of the close loved ones and the millions of lives that Hayden reached,” they said in an Instagram video. “Sending so much love to Hayden’s family, I’ll be thinking of Hayden and the legacy that she has left. Sending lots of love to the Kingdom Hearts community too and how we’re sharing in this loss.”
“Hayden Panettiere was a beautiful talent and beautiful soul,” the Scandal alum wrote. “Sending her family my love, thoughts and prayers.”
“We join in mourning the sudden passing of Hayden Panettiere,” the union—which she joined in 1994 at age 4—began its tribute. “Starting as a child actor, Hayden’s long career in TV and film included memorable roles in Heroes, Nashville and more. Our hearts are with her daughter, family, friends and fans.”
“One of the brighter lights I’ve ever met and had the privilege to call a friend,” the Heroes alum wrote of his costar. “I love you Hayden. Always and forever. Wherever you are now.”Advertisement
Kyson, best known for his role as Ando Masahashi in Heroes, recalled meeting his costar while filming the sci-fi series.”I first met Hayden when she was 16, and she was already a veteran actor with such bright spirit, and an older soul,” he wrote on Instagram. “I remember her as a fierce protector of animal rights and a ‘cheerleader’ for kindness, justice, and people being treated fairly – something that I’ve always appreciated.”He also shared a reminder to online users, emphasizing, “Life can be so short… let’s send some love out to the world, our loved ones, and to those who need it most today.”
“Horrible news,” Auman, who directed Panettiere’s final film Sleepwalker, began on Instagram. “Completely devastated. You taught me so much on set, and the personal stories you shared with me about growing up in the industry were often profound, surreal and amazing. Thank you for everything. I’ll miss you, Hayden.”
“This is such devastating news,” the singer wrote on her Instagram Stories. “I am so so sorry to heard of her passing. Oh. My God.”
Applebaum shared a throwback clip of him working with Panettiere on the music video for her 2008 song “Wake Up Call,” while detailing their recent reunion.”I directed this video for @haydenpanettiere with @imsebastianstan,” he explained on Instagram. “When I saw her at Paris’ a couple months ago, we were cracking up over all the funny stuff we talked about between shots, pranking Klitschko in Miami, and how tiny she was. Such a sweet, tiny little bundle of joy. Your memory will always be a blessing.”Advertisement
The Hawkeye star commented on People’s Instagram post, “Bless you and your family.”
“My heart aches so much right now,” Panettiere’s Heroes costar wrote. “I love you and will always miss you. I take comfort in knowing that I am with you in life and in death because your love and energy has always transcended this dimension.””My thoughts are with your daughter and those who truly love you,” she added. “I know that the ones that got to feel your gifts will forever feel blessed and grateful for you.”
After Panettiere’s death Aug. 16, her Guiding Light costar Bethany Joy Lenz was one of many who shared heartbreaking memories from their years-long friendship.”I’m crushed,” Bethany wrote in an Instagram post. “I knew the wild little blonde. Was she nine? Ten? I was eighteen. She ran through the Screen Gem studio hallways at 222 E44th St. laughing and playing games in between blocking and camera rehearsals. Long, unruly curls trailing behind her. She knew her lines and everyone else’s. Her intelligence was astonishing.”Noting that the pair would “connect on and off over the years,” Bethany detailed feeling joy when they “were lucky enough to cross paths.””I dont understand how this is real,” she continued. “Everything seemed to be turning around. She was coming BACK to life, wasn’t she? It’s too young and there’s still so much more life. And her daughter…. Hayden, you are surround by love. I’m sorry for every moment I didn’t reach out or check in. This can’t be real..”
Davis, who starred alongside Panettiere in the 2016 film Custody, remembered her as “an amazing talent.””Julius [Tennon] and I loved working with you,” Viola wrote in her Aug. 17 Instagram post, “an old, wise soul with such a deep heart. I wish the world had more time with you because I had a burning curiosity about who you were becoming. I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes. Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy.””You will be remembered,” the Fences star added. “Rest well, Hayden. Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you. May they always speak your name.”
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