Hayden Panettiere Received Welfare Check a Week Before Her Death

Police reportedly conducted a welfare check at the West Hollywood apartment of actress Hayden Panettiere approximately one week prior to her death in August. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department received a call on August 9th at 10 p.m. from an individual expressing concern for a woman at the residence who was not responding to calls, according to a redacted report obtained by Us Weekly.

A source told the outlet that the call was for Panettiere, who had reportedly become unresponsive to numerous people in her social circle. When authorities arrived at the apartment, they were informed that the woman was unwell and had been sick all day. Panettiere's on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, reportedly answered the door.

An insider also claimed that Panettiere had informed a friend, who had visited her prior to her passing, that Hickerson had taken her phone. This alleged confiscation of her phone occurred after Panettiere had reportedly been hospitalized a week before her death.

According to Us Weekly, police records indicate two other responses to Panettiere’s Los Angeles residence in 2025. On August 4th, officers were dispatched following a report of an unidentified male attempting to enter a unit on the third floor. By the time police arrived, the individual had already departed, though he was observed entering and exiting the apartment complex later that day. On September 8th, officers responded to an ongoing issue involving an unidentified white male in the building's garage who refused to leave. Authorities made contact with a white male and a white female shortly thereafter, and the male reportedly gathered some belongings before leaving the premises.

Panettiere died on August 16th at a South Carolina Airbnb due to the toxic effects of multiple drugs, including fentanyl. Hickerson was present at the time of her death. He has a history of domestic abuse allegations involving Panettiere and has been arrested multiple times. Reports from earlier in August indicated that Panettiere had secretly entered a rehabilitation facility for two to three weeks shortly before her death. The "Nashville" star had reportedly reconnected with Hickerson weeks before her passing, with friends noting she may have been hesitant to share details of this reunion due to feelings of shame.