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Ishani Sarkar

Actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in shows like Heroes and Nashville, passed away on August 16. She was 36 years old.
The actress was reportedly found “unresponsive” and in cardiac arrest at a residence in South Carolina by first responders, who arrived at the scene following a 911 call from the home. She was pronounced dead after failed resuscitation attempts.

The coroner’s office said that an autopsy revealed “no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death”, per ABC News, and the official cause of death is “pending further investigation”.
The actress, who grew up in the limelight as a child star, had spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health and substance abuse in the past. She is survived by her daughter, Kaya Klitschko, whom she welcomed with ex-partner Wladimir Klitschko in 2014, and her parents, Lesley Vogel and Alan “Skip” Lee Panettiere. Hayden’s younger brother, Jansen, died in 2023 of an enlarged heart.
As Panettiere’s family grieves their loss, her on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson is making headlines after it emerged that a judge denied his request to reduce his past felony charges only days before the actress died. Hickerson had previously been arrested for domestic violence incidents involving Panettiere.

Here’s everything you need to know about the late actress’ ex-boyfriend, Brian Hickerson.
What does Brian Hickerson do?

Brian Hickerson graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in business, management and marketing. Per his LinkedIn, he is an executive assistant for a “high-profile confidential client”. He also acted in the 2017 film M.F.A., which stars Clint Eastwood’s daughter Francesca Eastwood, but has not had other roles since.
When did Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson meet?

Panettiere started dating Hickerson in 2018. The following year, he was arrested over alleged domestic violence, but the case was later dismissed. Per Us Weekly, the couple split briefly but reconciled and dated until February 2020, when he was apprehended again on similar charges. A few months later, he was indicted on eight counts of domestic violence and assault, pleading no contest to two of them.
He served time in prison, and the couple reportedly split in July 2022 before reconnecting later that year as friends – though their relationship status at the time of her death remains unclear. It was reported that a day before her death, the actress and Hickerson had flown from Los Angeles to South Carolina.
He struggled with his mental health

Hickerson previously revealed his mental health struggles on Instagram in a post promoting his brother’s organisation, The Comeback Story Foundation, which helps those who have attempted suicide, as well as family and friends of people affected by suicide. Hickerson opened up about making “huge mistakes”, abusing substances and how he “hurt someone [he] deeply cared about”.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Hickerson’s Instagram profile appears to have been removed.


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Fame and celebrity

Who is Brian Hickerson, the late Hayden Panettiere’s ex-boyfriend?

The late actress Hayden Panettiere and her then-boyfriend Brian Hickerson in Los Angeles in 2019. Photo: Getty Images

Hayden Panettiere at the Los Angeles premiere of Blonde at the TCL Chinese Theatre in 2022. Photo: Getty Images

Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson at the celebration of life for Panettiere’s younger brother Jansen in New York in 2023. Photo: Getty Images

Brian Hickerson poses with an MV Agusta motorcycle in 2024. Photo: @mvagusta.losangeles/Instagram

Brian Hickerson was arrested multiple times for domestic violence. Photo: @brianhickerson_/Instagram

Brian Hickerson wearing a T-shirt promoting his brother’s mental health foundation. Photo: @brianhickerson_/Instagram

Meet Ella Rubin, who plays Annie in Sterling Point

Ella Rubin plays Annie Jacobson in coming-of-age drama Sterling Point. Photo: Getty Images

Ella Rubin (left) and Bo Bragason in Sterling Point. Photo: TNS

Ella Rubin at the premiere of The Idea of You in 2024. Photo: @ellarubin1/Instagram

Ella Rubin painting as a child. Photo: @ellarubin1/Instagram

Ella Rubin and Skyler Gisondo at a Fear Street: Prom Queen event in Los Angeles in May 2025. Photo: Getty Images

Meet Jacob Whiteduck-Lavoie, who plays Ellis in Sterling Point

Jacob Whiteduck-Lavoie plays Ellis in Amazon Prime’s latest drama series, Sterling Point. Photo: Getty Images

Jacob Whiteduck-Lavoie stars in Sterling Point alongside Ella Rubin and Keen Ruffalo. Photo: @boysbygirls/Instagram

Jacob Whiteduck-Lavoie as a child. Photo: @jacobwhiteducklavoie/Instagram

Jacob Whiteduck-Lavoie at the Empire State Building in New York City in July 2026. Photo: Getty Images

Jacob Whiteduck-Lavoie is of French Canadian and Indigenous descent. Photo: @boysbygirls/Instagram

Meet Matt Damon’s daughter Isabella, who just signed with IMG Models

Matt Damon with his wife Luciana Barroso (left) and their daughter Isabella Damon at The Odyssey premiere at the AMC Lincoln Square in New York on July 14. Photo: AFP

Isabella Damon is stepping into the modelling world. Photo: @i.sa.be.ll.a/Instagram

Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso have four daughters – Alexia, Isabella, Gia and Stella. Photo: AFP

Matt Damon says his daughter, Isabella, is his sternest critic. Photo: @i.sa.be.ll.a/Instagram

Meet Dave Annable, who plays Zoe Saldaña’s on-screen husband, Neal, in Lioness

Dave Annable at the premiere of Lioness' Season 3 at the SVA Theatre in New York on July 29. Photo: AP 

Zoe Saldaña and Dave Annable in Lioness. Photo: @dave_annable/Instagram

Dave Annable was born in Suffern, New York. Photo: @dave_annable/Instagram

Dave Annable (first from left) plays Lee Dutton in Yellowstone, which also stars Kevin Costner (first from right). Photo: @dave_annable/Instagram

Dave Annable with his wife Odette Yustman and their children in May. Photo: @dave_annable/Instagram

Meet Ted Lasso star Juno Temple’s husband, Michal Szymanski

Juno Temple and Michal Szymanski at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. Photo: Getty Images

Juno Temple and Michal Szymanski at the UK premiere of Venom: The Last Dance in London, in October 2024. Photo: Getty Images

Juno Temple’s husband, Michal Szymanski, is a Polish actor. Photo: Getty Images

Juno Temple and Michal Szymanski met on the set of Ted Lasso Season 2. Photo: Getty Images

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The Heroes actress passed away unexpectedly at age 36; her on-again, off-again boyfriend was reportedly seen with her the day before her death


The Heroes actress passed away unexpectedly at age 36; her on-again, off-again boyfriend was reportedly seen with her the day before her death.


Who is Brian Hickerson, the late Hayden Panettiere’s ex-boyfriend?

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The Heroes actress passed away unexpectedly at age 36; her on-again, off-again boyfriend was reportedly seen with her the day before her death

The Heroes actress passed away unexpectedly at age 36; her on-again, off-again boyfriend was reportedly seen with her the day before her death