Brian Hickerson, the on-again, off-again boyfriend of the late actress Hayden Panettiere, has broken his silence following her tragic death. Through his attorney, Sloan Ellis, Hickerson released a statement expressing respect for the ongoing investigation into Panettiere's passing.
"Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed," Ellis told TMZ on Thursday. "Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time."
Panettiere, 36, was found dead on Sunday in a Greenville, South Carolina, apartment. Her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother Zach Hickerson were present at the scene. Zach Hickerson reportedly discovered Panettiere's body while Brian Hickerson was asleep in another room.
According to 911 audio obtained by Page Six, paramedics responded to a call concerning an "unidentified female" in "cardiac arrest." The audio indicated that "CPR [was] in progress" for an apparent "overdose."
Authorities have stated that there are no signs of foul play, and a cause of death has not yet been officially revealed. The Drug Enforcement Administration has joined the investigation. An autopsy reportedly showed "no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death."
Panettiere had traveled from Los Angeles to South Carolina with Hickerson the day before her death. The couple had a history of domestic disputes, and Hickerson had been arrested multiple times for incidents involving Panettiere. In April 2021, he pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend, receiving a sentence of 45 days in county jail, four years of formal probation, 52 domestic violence classes, and a five-year restraining order. Six other counts were dismissed.
Panettiere is survived by her daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko. Kaya was born in December 2014 and has been living in Ukraine with her father since 2018. Klitschko released a statement expressing "profound shock and grief," calling Panettiere "an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter."
In 2018, Panettiere made the decision to relinquish custody of Kaya to Klitschko as she navigated struggles with addiction. Panettiere was known for her roles in the television series "Heroes" and the film "Nashville."