Actress Hayden Panettiere detailed a tumultuous and violent relationship with Brian Hickerson in her recently published memoir, recounting numerous instances of physical abuse and her ongoing struggle to leave him. The relationship began in the summer of 2018, shortly after Panettiere had emerged from rehab and her ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, had obtained full custody of their daughter, Kaya.
Hickerson, an aspiring actor and real estate agent, quickly became involved with Panettiere, and within weeks they were living together. Panettiere described an initial period of feeling safe and cherished, but this soon devolved into a violent dynamic. The memoir details instances where Hickerson allegedly physically assaulted Panettiere. In one account, after an argument, Hickerson allegedly slapped her with an open hand, an event she described as a "burning" sensation. She wrote that the slaps escalated to punches, and in one incident in May 2019, she alleged that punches rained down and her head hit the wall while Hickerson pinned her down.
Multiple arrests and legal interventions punctuated their relationship. Hickerson was arrested and charged with domestic violence in 2019 and again in 2020. In February 2020, during a Valentine's Day trip to Wyoming, another altercation led to his arrest, with a police report noting a scrape and swelling on Panettiere's hand that she attributed to Hickerson's watch during the fight. Following this incident, Panettiere obtained a restraining order against him in July 2020, expressing a desire for others in abusive relationships to find the courage to leave. She stated at the time, "I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again."
Despite these legal measures and public statements, the couple appeared to reconcile multiple times. In April 2021, Hickerson accepted a plea deal, pleading no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail and four years of probation. Panettiere stated she wanted him to serve enough time to be scared but did not wish to traumatize him irreversibly.
However, the cycle of violence and reconciliation continued. By May 2022, they were reportedly together again, involved in another altercation at the Sunset Marquis hotel in Los Angeles, where Panettiere was overheard warning Hickerson about his probation status. They reportedly separated again in July 2022.
In May of the current year, as Panettiere's memoir was published, Hickerson acknowledged his past behavior, calling the book an essential read. He also expressed hope for a future with Panettiere, though she appeared to dismiss the possibility. Panettiere was found dead on Sunday at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, following a 911 call reporting a potential overdose. The Greenville County Coroner's Office has completed the autopsy, stating that no signs of trauma contributing to her death were discovered. The exact cause and manner of her death remain under investigation.