Hayden Panettiere Update: Actress Was Reportedly With Brian Hickerson When She Died

New details about the final hours of Hayden Panettiere’s life are being released.

On Tuesday, Aug. 18, People magazine reported that Panettiere, 36, was with her on/off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, at the time of her death, according to a law enforcement source. The outlet notes that it’s unclear whether or not Hickerson was the person who called 911.

TMZ previously reported that the Heroes actress flew to “the south” with Hickerson, whom she has dated on-and-off since 2018, on Saturday, Aug. 15. The next day, she was found unresponsive inside a South Carolina apartment that was believed to be an Airbnb.

Emergency personnel arrived on scene just before 2 p.m. local time on Sunday. Despite “advanced cardiac life support” measures, Panettiere was pronounced dead less than one hour later.

“No signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death,” read a statement by coroner Mike Ellis following Panettiere’s autopsy (via People). “The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies. This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time.”

Panettiere and Hickerson had a tumultuous relationship that was marked by domestic violence allegations that landed Hickerson in jail more than once. He and Panettiere officially broke up in 2022, but sources tell TMZ that they’d rekindled their romance, though they kept things quiet in recent months.

Earlier this year, Hickerson sat down for an interview with TMZ. During that interview, he admitted to the abuse and supported the release of Panettiere’s new memoir, saying, “I think it’s great. I think everyone should read it. I mean, the domestic violence stuff, my chapter, everybody should read it.”

Hickerson has not yet spoken out about Panettiere’s death.

The actress is survived by her only daughter, Kaya, 11.

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