New details have emerged surrounding the sudden death of actress Hayden Panettiere, who passed away on August 16 at the age of 36. The former child star was found unresponsive at the Judson Mill Lofts, an apartment complex located in Greenville, South Carolina. As local authorities continue their investigation, newly revealed emergency calls and police records have shed light on the circumstances of her final hours, prompting emotional statements from her family and former partners.
According to official records, emergency services and police officers responded to a call regarding an unresponsive woman at the Greenville apartment complex at approximately 1:51 p.m. on August 16. An emergency call placed from the scene indicated that the actress was in cardiac arrest following a possible overdose. Paramedics administered medical assistance and attempted life-saving measures for an extended period, but Panettiere was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.
A police report obtained by local journalists revealed that the emergency call was placed by Panettiere's on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson. Both brothers were present as medical personnel tried to revive her. A responding officer noted that Zach Hickerson was "very emotional" during the rescue attempts and explained to police that Panettiere was his brother's girlfriend. In contrast, the officer reported that Brian Hickerson "did not become emotional" until medical staff officially declared the actress dead. Brian also presented officers on the scene with a bag of medication that Panettiere was reportedly taking at the time.
The presence of Brian Hickerson has drawn significant attention due to the couple's highly publicized and volatile history. Having dated on and off since 2018, their relationship was marked by multiple domestic violence incidents and allegations of physical abuse. In 2021, Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend, resulting in a 45-day jail sentence, four years of probation, and a requirement to attend 52 domestic violence classes. Despite their turbulent past, the pair had recently sparked reconciliation rumors after being seen together in public. Reports indicate they had traveled together from Los Angeles to South Carolina just one day before her death.
Panettiere's estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, expressed deep disapproval of Hickerson's presence during her daughter's final moments. In a phone interview on August 18, Vogel stated, "This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death and that was Brian Hickerson." Vogel also reflected on the broader challenges of fame, noting that her daughter was "an amazingly talented person in so many departments" but acknowledging the heavy toll of the entertainment industry. "I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments and I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry – it is a struggle and it's a very challenging industry, and it's not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path," she added.
The relationship between Panettiere and her mother had been strained for nearly two decades. Vogel served as her daughter's manager from infancy until Panettiere severed their professional relationship at the age of 19. In her 2026 memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning," the actress detailed how this separation fractured their personal bond. Speaking on Jay Shetty's "On Purpose" podcast in May, Panettiere recalled, "The only reason why she would reach out was when something was needed. It wasn't just to say 'hi' or 'how are you.' It's been a really tough road, and no matter how many times that door has been slammed in my face, I've desperately sought her approval for my entire life."
In contrast, Panettiere's father, Skip Panettiere, released a statement remembering his daughter as "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."
Her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko, also shared his profound grief. The couple had an on-and-off relationship spanning a decade, becoming engaged in 2013 and welcoming their daughter, Kaya, in 2014. Panettiere later relinquished custody of Kaya to Klitschko in 2018 as she battled postpartum depression and addiction. Their 11-year-old daughter currently resides in Ukraine with her father. On August 18, Klitschko posted a throwback photograph of the family on Instagram, writing, "Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief." He added, "Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter. To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was."
Just two weeks before her death, Panettiere participated in an animal rights campaign for PETA, protesting marine parks like SeaWorld by confining herself to a bathtub. PETA released the campaign video on August 18 as a tribute to her legacy. In the video, Panettiere, wearing a PETA T-shirt, pleaded with the public: "Imagine spending your entire life in a bathtub. That's what it's like for dolphins and whales in tiny tanks at marine amusement parks. We can end this, you and me." She continued, "Can you imagine their frustration, their trauma, their depression? All that's important and crucial for their wellbeing is ripped away." PETA urged people to honor her memory by boycotting facilities that keep marine animals in captivity.
This campaign was part of a lifelong dedication to animal advocacy. In 2008, Panettiere traveled to Washington, D.C., to lobby against commercial whaling on behalf of Save The Whales Again! The previous year, she made headlines by donning a wetsuit and swimming into a Japanese cove to protest the annual dolphin hunt in Taiji.
While the Greenville County Coroner's Office and local police continue to investigate her death, authorities have stated that no foul play is currently suspected. An official cause of death remains pending, and officials noted that it could take up to three months for complete autopsy and toxicology reports to be finalized. On August 18, a representative for the coroner's office confirmed that Panettiere's body was ready to be released to her family.
Panettiere's extensive career in show business began when she was a baby, leading to major roles in "Remember the Titans," "Ally McBeal," and Disney's "Ice Princess." She achieved global fame as the cheerleader Claire Bennet in NBC's "Heroes" and later starred as country star Juliette Barnes in the hit drama series "Nashville."
For those seeking assistance, resources are available. Anyone experiencing domestic abuse can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text "START" to 88788. Individuals struggling with substance use or mental health crises can reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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