Greenville police officers conducted a welfare check at a South Carolina residence linked to Brian and Zach Hickerson days after actress Hayden Panettiere was found unresponsive and later died on August 16. The officers visited the home on Wednesday morning, with two police cruisers spotted around 8 a.m. and again around 10 a.m. No one answered the door.
Brian Hickerson, Panettiere's on-again, off-again boyfriend, was present at the South Carolina apartment when the actress was found unresponsive, according to a police report. He and his brother, Zach Hickerson, called 911 after discovering Panettiere. Authorities spoke with both brothers and executed a search warrant at the residence.
The police report noted that Zach Hickerson appeared emotional while paramedics attempted to revive Panettiere, while Brian Hickerson did not show emotion until the actress was pronounced deceased. Brian Hickerson also provided officers with a bag of medication that Panettiere had allegedly been taking.
Panettiere and Brian Hickerson met in 2018 and had a relationship marked by domestic violence charges against Hickerson. He was arrested in 2019 and again in 2020 on multiple felony domestic violence charges. In 2021, he pleaded no contest to two felony charges related to the incidents involving Panettiere, with the remaining charges dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Panettiere had publicly addressed the allegations following Hickerson's arrest, stating her hope that sharing her story would help others in abusive relationships. She said in a statement, "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."
In the days leading up to Panettiere's death, Hickerson was involved in legal proceedings in Los Angeles attempting to reduce his felony charges. On August 13, the prosecution objected to the defense's motion to expunge and reduce both counts, and the court denied both requests. Hickerson had previously attempted to have the charges reduced on July 18, 2025.