Hayden Panettiere's mother, Lesley Vogel, has alleged that the late actress's on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, pawned items belonging to Panettiere prior to her death. Vogel told The New York Times that she was "alarmed" to learn details about the items being sold.
Among the belongings reportedly pawned was a "vintage guitar," Vogel told the newspaper. Panettiere had reportedly been "shocked" to discover that multiple items she owned were being kept in a storage unit that Hickerson possessed. A separate, unnamed source confirmed to The New York Times that multiple items owned by Panettiere had been pawned by Hickerson, who filed for bankruptcy in 2022. The New York Times report did not specify whether Panettiere had given consent for the sale of her belongings.
Vogel indicated that Hickerson's involvement in Panettiere's life and finances contributed to an estrangement between mother and daughter in the year leading up to Panettiere's death.
Panettiere was pronounced deceased on August 16 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. Officials are investigating the death as a suspected drug overdose. Authorities responded to a report of an "unresponsive female" and, despite attempts to administer lifesaving measures, Panettiere was declared deceased. The investigation found no immediate signs of trauma or foul play. Her passing was announced by her father, Skip Panettiere, who released a statement remembering her as "an incredible light and a force of nature."
Hickerson and Panettiere had been linked since 2018 and had a history marked by domestic abuse allegations. In April 2021, Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony counts of domestic abuse. He was initially charged with eight counts, including assault with a deadly weapon, battery, and corporal injury, in Los Angeles in July 2020. He received a 45-day jail sentence and four years of probation, along with a court order to complete domestic violence classes. The remaining charges were dropped following his pleas. Panettiere had been issued a five-year protective order that expired earlier this year.
Hickerson's attorney, Sloan Ellis, stated that the investigation into Panettiere's death is ongoing and that "no signs of foul play" were confirmed by police. Ellis added that no further comment would be made out of respect for Panettiere's loved ones and the ongoing investigation.
Fitness trainer Marnie Alton, who worked with Panettiere two years prior, described the actress as driven to regain her physical health. "She kept fighting for her body because she felt like, 'If I can get my strength back, I can get myself back,'" Alton told the newspaper. Alton also noted that Hickerson was sometimes present during Panettiere's training sessions, recording and taking pictures of her.