Hickerson’s attorney urges patience as DEA joins probe into Panettiere’s death
Actress Hayden Panettiere died at 36 in a South Carolina apartment on August 16, 2026, days before her 37th birthday. Her on-and-off partner, Brian Hickerson, and his brother were present when she was found in cardiac arrest. The DEA has joined the investigation, which is led by Greenville City Police. Hickerson’s attorney stated that police found no signs of foul play, though the cause of death remains pending toxicology results. The case highlights Panettiere’s history of domestic abuse with Hickerson, including a 2021 felony conviction and a recent denial of his request to expunge those records.
