Hayden Panettiere Death Investigation and Boyfriend Statements Update
Actress Hayden Panettiere passed away at the age of 36 on Sunday at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, just days before her 37th birthday. According to the Greenville Police Department and the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, preliminary investigations have found no signs of trauma or foul play, while federal agencies and local authorities continue looking into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Timeline of the Final Hours and the Greenville Response
According to local law enforcement reports, Panettiere flew from Los Angeles to South Carolina the day before her death, accompanied by her on-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson. Detectives with the Greenville Police Department confirmed they responded to a 911 call placed by an acquaintance at approximately 1:50 p.m. on Sunday.
Dispatched records obtained by the Daily Mail indicate that the first call described the actress as suffering a cardiac arrest, with a subsequent dispatcher noting a suspected overdose. Officers and emergency medical personnel administered chest compressions at the Judson Mill Lofts apartment block. Despite life-saving efforts, Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene just over 40 minutes after emergency responders arrived.
Chief Deputy Coroner Shelton England stated that an autopsy found no signs of trauma, though further laboratory tests are required to determine the definitive cause of death. England noted that addressing the suspected overdose theory remains premature until toxicology reports are finalized. The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and local detectives continue to process the case alongside federal involvement from the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Public Statements and Family Response
In the wake of the tragedy, family members and close associates have broken their silence. According to NBC News, Panettiere’s mother shared her first public comments regarding the loss. Meanwhile, the actress’s father, Skip, released a statement to media outlets.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” her father’s statement read, as reported by the Daily Mail. “She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her onscreen.” He requested privacy for the family during the grieving process.
Brian Hickerson also addressed the public following the incident. Speaking on his turbulent history with the actress, Hickerson acknowledged their dynamic, which began in 2018 and included multiple arrests related to domestic disputes. Court records indicate Hickerson was sentenced to 45 days in county jail in 2021 after pleading no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend. Despite past legal troubles, Hickerson and his brother Zach were present at the Greenville apartment when emergency services arrived.
The ongoing joint investigation by the Greenville Police Department and the Greenville County Coroner’s Office is expected to release further details as toxicology results become available.