Brian Hickerson stated in a May interview that he hoped to marry actress Hayden Panettiere, months prior to her death. When asked by TMZ if he envisioned marrying the "Nashville" star, Hickerson responded affirmatively, "Yeah, of course. I hope so."
He acknowledged that Panettiere might not have shared the same sentiment. Hickerson, who had an on-again, off-again relationship with Panettiere since 2018 and was with her at the time of her death, described their relationship as one of mutual respect and that they remained "good friends" and "good buddies." He added, "She'll always hold a special place in my heart and I hope the same for her."
Hickerson referred to Panettiere, known for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," as "the sweetest thing in the world" and his "Sunday girl." He denied any desire to "get back together," stating that they likely "wouldn't be good together" and that he wanted to see her career flourish.
At the time of the interview, Panettiere was promoting her memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning," which detailed incidents of abuse involving Hickerson. Hickerson described the abuse as "terrible" and reflected on his upbringing, suggesting that a lack of understanding of domestic violence might have contributed to his actions.
In 2020, Hickerson faced two felony charges for allegedly injuring a spouse or girlfriend in connection with incidents involving Panettiere. Panettiere stated at the time that she was coming forward with her story to empower others in abusive relationships and to ensure he would not harm anyone else. In 2021, Hickerson pleaded no contest and received a sentence of 45 days in jail, four years of probation, 52 domestic violence classes, $500 in restitution, and a five-year protective order.
By 2022, the two had reconnected as friends. Panettiere told People at the time, "I am open to people who are willing to get help and make amends. He's gone to treatment and done his time. And I'm trying to live in a place of forgiveness."
Days before Panettiere's death, a Los Angeles judge denied Hickerson's request to have his felony charges reduced to misdemeanors. The day after this legal decision, Hickerson and Panettiere traveled from California to South Carolina, where the actress died on Sunday at age 36 of an apparent overdose. Brian and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present at the time of Panettiere's passing.