Hayden Panettiere. [Reuters/Yonhap]
Hayden Panettiere. [Reuters/Yonhap]

Questions are growing over the circumstances surrounding the death of Hayden Panettiere, the late American actress.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that when Panettiere died Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina, she was with Brian Hickerson — a former boyfriend who had previously assaulted her.

According to a police report, Hickerson was among the last people to see Panettiere alive, and he and his brother Zach Hickerson called 911 after she collapsed.

The cause of death has not been made public, but a drug overdose-induced cardiac arrest is suspected.

Police have not brought any charges against Hickerson in connection with her death, but attention has turned to his history of domestic violence.

In 2020, Panettiere spoke out on "Good Morning America" about Hickerson's violent behavior, saying, "I will do everything in my power to make sure he never hurts anyone again."

In her memoir "This Is Me: A Reckoning," published in May, she also recounted how Hickerson had struck her across the face, leaving her unable to leave the house for weeks, and how he had been jailed after punching her during an argument.

Hickerson was indicted on seven counts, including felony assault and witness dissuasion, and pleaded guilty to two of the charges, receiving a sentence of probation.

Panettiere made her debut in a commercial at 11 months old and went on to work as a child actor in drama series including "One Life to Live" and "Guiding Light." She gained wider recognition in the 2000 film "Remember the Titans," in which she appeared alongside Denzel Washington.

Her memoir drew significant attention for its candid account of her troubled past, including addiction stemming from drugs given to her by a manager during her teenage years, sexual assault by a prominent actor, and postpartum depression.

If you're thinking about self-harm or suicide, contact the Ministry of Health and Welfare's helpline 1393, available 24/7. Please request a translator for English-language services.


123@heraldcorp.com