Brian Hickerson, the on-off boyfriend of actress Hayden Panettiere, has been seen publicly for the first time since her death. Panettiere, 36, was found unresponsive and pronounced dead on Sunday, with reports suggesting an overdose. Hickerson, a real estate agent, was at the apartment where Panettiere was found.
This development brings renewed attention to Panettiere's tumultuous relationship with Hickerson, who has a history of domestic violence arrests. In 2021, Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend and served 33 days in jail, with the remaining charges dropped. Despite this, the couple appeared to have reconciled, with Panettiere referring to him as her boyfriend in a redacted police report from the scene of her death.
Sources close to Panettiere expressed regret that her inner circle did little to convince her to end the relationship with Hickerson. Friends noted that while many disliked Hickerson and advised Panettiere to leave, they were unable to sway her, suggesting a possible trauma bond that kept her returning to him. Panettiere herself had been open about her struggles with addiction and postpartum depression. She had previously detailed Hickerson's alleged abuse in her memoir, describing incidents where he physically harmed her.
Panettiere and Hickerson began dating in 2018. Hickerson was arrested multiple times throughout their relationship. In May 2019, he was arrested and charged with domestic violence in Los Angeles, a case that was later dismissed. The following year, on Valentine's Day, he was arrested for domestic battery in Wyoming. In July 2020, Panettiere obtained a restraining order against him, urging others to leave abusive partners. Three months later, Hickerson faced seven felony charges and one misdemeanor, including dissuading a witness. During a preliminary hearing in February 2021, text messages allegedly sent by Hickerson to Panettiere were read in court, including messages like "Time to go to war, I guess."
In May 2022, Panettiere was reportedly knocked to the ground while attempting to break up a fight involving Hickerson outside a Los Angeles hotel. During the incident, she was heard yelling "Brian, jail!" possibly in reference to his probation status.
Hickerson's mother confirmed that he was at the apartment with Panettiere when she died. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding Panettiere's death is ongoing. A bag of medication and Narcan, used to reverse opioid overdoses, were reportedly found in the apartment.