Actress Hayden Panettiere had reportedly kept her reunion with Brian Hickerson hidden from many of her friends prior to her death at age 36. A source told Page Six that if Hickerson was back in Panettiere's life, it was something she concealed because she wasn't discussing it with her circle.
"If you’ve gone through some dark times with people, and spoken about it, then there can be shame if you get back together with that same person," the insider suggested as a possible reason for Panettiere's secrecy. "So maybe that was why she hadn’t mentioned it to us."
Despite the secrecy, the former couple had been seen together publicly in the months leading up to Panettiere's death. They sparked reconciliation rumors after being spotted at LAX airport in March 2026, with Hickerson accompanying Panettiere, who was on crutches. The pair, first romantically linked in 2018, had a tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship marked by multiple alleged incidents of domestic violence.
Hickerson was arrested for felony domestic violence in May 2019 following an alleged altercation at their home after they had been drinking. TMZ reported at the time that Panettiere had visible redness and marks. Hickerson was charged later that month and ordered to stay 100 yards away from Panettiere and have no contact with her; the case was dismissed in September 2019. He was arrested again in Wyoming on Valentine's Day in February 2020 for another alleged domestic dispute, accused of striking Panettiere with a closed fist on the right side of her face. He was later released on $5,000 bond.
In July 2020, Panettiere was granted a restraining order against Hickerson and publicly addressed the alleged abuse. "I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve," she wrote on Instagram. "I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again. I’m grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life."
In April 2021, Hickerson was sentenced to 45 days in county jail after pleading no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend. This followed multiple domestic violence allegations. He also received four years of probation, 52 domestic violence classes, a $500 fee, and a five-year restraining order barring him from being near Panettiere. The couple officially ended their relationship in July 2022.
In May 2026, Hickerson shared a story from their past, admitting to abusive behavior. He recalled an incident where, while drunk, he threatened Panettiere with a phone, saying, "Hayden I'll give you 10 seconds to run as fast as you can before I throw it at you."
Panettiere died Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina. Her family confirmed her death, stating she was 36. Police responded to a call of an unresponsive woman and attempted medical assistance, but Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene. The Greenville Police Department and Greenville County Coroner’s Office are investigating. A preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances, and a cause of death has not yet been determined.
Her father, Skip Panettiere, released a statement expressing profound sadness and calling her "an incredible light and a force of nature." He requested privacy for the family as they process the loss. Law enforcement sources confirmed to TMZ that an investigation is open, though a preliminary investigation found no foul play.
TMZ also reported that on the day before her death, Panettiere flew from Los Angeles to South Carolina with Hickerson. As of this publication, Hickerson has not publicly responded to Panettiere's death, though his family is aware, according to TMZ. Panettiere is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, and her parents.