Hayden Panettiere's mother, Lesley Vogel, has alleged that Brian Hickerson, the late actress's on-again, off-again boyfriend, pawned items that belonged to Panettiere before her death. Vogel shared these details with The New York Times, stating she was "alarmed" to learn about the pawned belongings, which included a "vintage guitar."
Vogel also told the newspaper that Panettiere had been "shocked" to discover that multiple items she owned were being kept in a storage unit rented by Hickerson. A separate unnamed source confirmed to The New York Times that Hickerson, who filed for bankruptcy in 2022, had pawned multiple items belonging to Panettiere. The New York Times report did not specify whether Panettiere had consented to the sales.
Hickerson's alleged involvement in Panettiere's "life and finances" was a significant factor in Vogel's estrangement from her daughter in the last year of her life, according to Vogel.
Panettiere was pronounced deceased on August 16 in Greenville, South Carolina. Officials are investigating her death, which is suspected to be a drug overdose. While attempting lifesaving measures, officials found no signs of trauma or foul play. Hickerson's lawyer, Sloan Ellis, stated that the investigation is ongoing and that "police confirmed there were no signs of foul play."
Panettiere and Hickerson had been linked since 2018 and had a history that included domestic abuse charges against Hickerson. In April 2021, Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony counts of domestic abuse, stemming from an incident in July 2020. He received a 45-day jail sentence and four years of probation, with a court order to complete domestic violence classes. Other charges were dropped, and Panettiere was issued a five-year protective order that expired earlier this year.
Earlier in her life, Panettiere struggled with ailments that affected her ability to "physically function properly." Her mother described Panettiere as being "in pain" and "afraid" during this period. Fitness trainer Marnie Alton, who worked with Panettiere two years prior, described the actress as "really smart" and determined to regain her health, stating, "She kept fighting for her body because she felt like, 'If I can get my strength back, I can get myself back.'" Alton also noted that Hickerson was sometimes present during their sessions, recording Panettiere and taking pictures as she worked on her recovery.