Inside Hayden Panettiere's On-and-Off Romance With Brian Hickerson
Hayden Panettiere Found Unresponsive, Death Under Investigation
Having pulled herself from the throes of postpartum depression, endured several stints in rehab to overcome an addiction to alcohol and opioids and navigated the grief of losing her younger brother Jansen Panettiere in 2023, Hayden Panettiere had learned a lot about what it looks like to save herself.
For starters, "I do have a great therapist," the 36-year-old explained in an exclusive interview with E! News this past May, just three months before her shocking, sudden Aug. 16 death. (According to dispatch audio obtained by People and TMZ, officials were heard discussing a possible overdose. "The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner's Office," a spokesperson for the department told E! News in a statement. "The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.")
A recovering people pleaser, the actress, who booked her first role at just 11 months old, was focused on establishing boundaries. The key, the author of This Is Me: A Reckoning detailed to E!, is continuously "checking in with myself, being self-aware, being surrounded by healthy people who bring out the best in me."
And as for dating, "I've been through a bit of trauma in that area," Panettiere acknowledged. "So, I'm focusing on me."
While her 2026 memoir detailed her out-of-nowhere split from Heroes costar Milo Ventimiglia and broken engagement from Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko—dad to her 11-year-old daughter Kaya—it's the years she spent entangled with South Carolina native Brian Hickerson that could fill an entire anthology.
The Nashville alum initially connected with the aspiring actor and real estate agent through her brother in 2018, fresh off the official end of her on-and-off relationship with Klitschko. And fans were privy to his subsequent string of legal troubles.
After Hickerson was arrested on a domestic violence charge in May 2019 (he pleaded not guilty to one count of felony domestic violence later that month; the case was dismissed in September) and February 2020, Panettiere made the move to obtain a restraining order that July. Arrested two days later, Hickerson was eventually sentenced to 45 days in county jail, plus four years of formal probation, after pleading no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend.
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"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," Panettiere shared on Instagram at the time. "I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again." (E! News has reached out to Hickerson. He has not yet responded.)
Because the pain he'd caused her was nearly unimaginable.
In one instance, she detailed in This Is Me, he "busts up my face so badly I don't leave the house for weeks." In another, she wrote, he'd smashed her head into a wall.
But it was the time he'd screamed at her to run as far away as she could in five seconds before he threw a remote control at her that Hickerson tried to have tossed from the book.
"Who wants to read something about themselves, right?" he reasoned to TMZ in May, acknowledging he was drunk at the time. "But you gotta be vulnerable and I did it."
He'd remained in Panettiere's orbit after, the pair spotted line dancing in West Hollywood in July 2021, following his release from jail.
At the time, they weren't two-stepping together, but rather "working on a friendship," Hickerson insisted to E! News. "We have a long history together, and the first step in my recovery as an abuser is making amends. That's exactly what Hayden has been gracious enough to allow me to do."
Though she had a decidedly different slant on the scenario.
"Getting an abusive person out of your life is like trying to rip a weed out that is so entangled into your life," she explained to Us Weekly this past May, "and every time you pull it out another weed pops back up and you’re like, I thought I killed this. They always manage to find a way to slither back in, even if you’re an incredibly strong-willed person."
She'd previously believed his February 2020 arrest was the point of no return and it certainly "helped push me in the right direction," she told the outlet, "but it still took me a long time. I still struggled to fully put a kibosh to it for a while."
In fact, when speaking to The New York Times in 2023 as her comeback vehicle Scream VI hit theaters, Panettiere acknowledged "there are feelings there, yes." As for what she might do about those emotions, it was "contingent on him continuing on this road of recovery."
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As for her path forward, it wasn't exactly a straight line. Hence the need to set those aforementioned boundaries.
At the time she sat down with E!, Panettiere wasn't necessarily looking for love. But should the "right person" enter her obit...
"The door is not closed," she shared. "I love to be in love."
Keep reading to see the tributes that have poured in from all of those who loved her in return.
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SAG-AFTRA
"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."
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David Anders
"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."
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James Kyson
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."
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Alyson Stoner
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."
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Brandon Auman
"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."
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JoJo
"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."
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Chris Applebaum
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."
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Jeremy Renner
The Hawkeye star commented on People's Instagram post, "Bless you and your family."
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Dania Ramirez
"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."
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Bethany Joy Lenz
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..”
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Viola Davis
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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Selma Blair
Underneath the Heroes actress’ final Instagram post, Blair penned a heartbreaking message: "I love you. Don’t be gone. Don’t be gone. Please. Please.” The Legally Blonde alum later added, “I'm dying. Please be here."
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Kelly Osbourne
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of someone who meant so much to me,” Osbourne wrote alongside a photo of Panettiere. “We understood each other in a way few truly can — recognizing how difficult it is to grow up in the spotlight, and how isolating it can feel even when surrounded by so many people.”
Osbourne praised Panettiere as being “such a good friend.”
“I will never forget you, Hayden, and I will always believe you deserved better,” the Osbournes alum added. “Rest in peace, sweet princess. You will never be forgotten.”
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Rosie O'Donnell
"Oh my god," the comedian wrote alongside a photo of Panettiere Aug. 16, "heartbroken. #hayden."
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Melissa Barrera
Panettiere's Scream costar Barrera wrote on her Instagram Stories Aug. 16, “Rest in peace sweet Hayden.”
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Jay Shetty
The podcaster—who sat down with the Bring It On: All or Nothing star in May for an emotional conversation about her sobriety journey and the death of her brother—shared he was in "disbelief."
"You were so special," he wrote on his Instagram Stories alongside a clip of her podcast episode. "May you always be protected and peaceful."
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Heather Matarazzo
The Princess Diaries star shared she met the Ice Princess actress during their early days of acting.
“Devastated,” she captioned a photo of the pair on Instagram. “We first met on the LIRR traveling to NYC for auditions when we were both kids. Every time our paths crossed, my heart always filled up. She was special. She was a Sprite of a being and such a talent. Truly a light…..Love you, Hayden.”
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