Brian Hickerson, the on-off boyfriend of the late actress Hayden Panettiere, pursued another woman months before Panettiere's death, according to private messages reviewed by Page Six. The messages, exchanged via Instagram and text, appear to show Hickerson expressing romantic interest in a then-25-year-old woman from Greenville, South Carolina.
The woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, stated that she met Hickerson at a downtown Greenville nightclub on March 28. She reported being heavily intoxicated at the time and recalled little of the encounter. The following day, she noticed Hickerson had followed her on Instagram and sent a direct message.
In the March 29 message, believed to be from Hickerson, he wrote, "Great meeting you last night pretty lady. I owe you a date. I’m heading to [C]ity Tavern for a slushie in a bit you should join." The woman stated she did not know who he was and was unaware of his relationship with Panettiere. At the time, Hickerson's Instagram account reportedly featured minimal and outdated photos.
The woman responded on April 1, expressing apology for missing his message and stating she had no clear memory of the previous night. Hickerson replied that she hadn't seemed too drunk and explained he was in town because his brother was visiting. He suggested dinner at Halls Chophouse, noting he had recently moved from Los Angeles and was pleased to meet a local woman.
Their exchange continued with discussions about where they met and their ages. Hickerson, then 36, quipped about reading on a 25-year-old level, which was the age of the woman. She expressed a preference for meeting properly and a slight discomfort with the age gap and her lack of recollection from their initial meeting.
Hickerson later attempted to contact her via text, sending messages on April 2 and April 4 about scheduling a dinner. He also responded to her Instagram Story on April 4, asking about her Easter Sunday plans. The woman did not respond to these messages.
Hickerson sent a final text on April 14, stating he was back in town and asking when he would be taking her to Halls. The woman did not reply, and their communication ceased.
She reported that the next time she heard Hickerson's name was when news broke of Panettiere's death on August 16. Panettiere was found unresponsive at an Airbnb in Greenville, where she had been staying with Hickerson. The woman stated she vaguely remembered Hickerson's name and, upon reviewing her messages, was shocked to realize she had been in contact with him, especially given the circumstances.
She also claimed that Hickerson never mentioned Panettiere and that she was unaware of the timeline of their relationship, which began in 2018 and had been publicly documented as tumultuous. Hickerson's attorney declined to comment on the matter, and a representative for Panettiere did not respond to inquiries.
Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson were present when authorities arrived at the Airbnb. Zach Hickerson identified Panettiere as his brother's girlfriend. Neither brother has been accused of involvement in her death.
Hickerson and Panettiere were last seen together at Los Angeles International Airport on March 2, less than a month before he reportedly met the South Carolina woman. In April 2021, Hickerson pleaded no contest to felony counts of injuring a spouse or cohabitant, leading to a jail sentence, probation, and domestic violence classes. Panettiere had been granted a five-year protective order, which had expired.
Panettiere died of a suspected overdose at age 36. The autopsy report indicated no signs of trauma contributing to her death, but the investigation by the Greenville County Coroner's Office remains active pending toxicology results. Hickerson's attorney stated that police confirmed no signs of foul play and that no further comment would be made out of respect for Panettiere's loved ones and the ongoing investigation.