Hayden Panettiere’s body released to family 2 days after death as investigation continues
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA: The Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed Hayden Panettiere’s body was released to the family following her death in South Carolina at 36, with the remains transferred to a mortuary Tuesday evening, August 18.
An autopsy has been completed, while the investigation into her death remains active and ongoing. She had previously been open about her struggles with substance abuse, which began as a teen in the entertainment industry, and entered treatment in 2020.
Hayden Panettiere’s remains released as autopsy results remain pending
Coroner Mike Ellis said in a Monday, August 17 press release that no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to Panettiere’s death. He noted that it could take up to three months for all autopsy results to be obtained.
Ellis also revealed that Panettiere was found in “cardiac arrest” when first responders arrived at the scene on Sunday afternoon. At around 1:50 pm local time on Sunday, August 16, police in Greenville and EMS personnel responded to a report of an “unresponsive female,” according to a statement from a Greenville Police Department spokesperson.
Medical assistance was administered, but she was pronounced deceased at the scene. The police spokesperson said the case was under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
The preliminary investigation had not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Panettiere placed the 911 call.
Her longtime representative confirmed her death Sunday, sharing a statement on behalf of her father, Alan “Skip” Panettiere. “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” the statement read.
It further said, “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.”
Hayden Panettiere’s relationship with Brian Hickerson and his legal history
A law enforcement source told PEOPLE that Panettiere was with her on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson at the time of her death. During their relationship, Hickerson was arrested numerous times, including on domestic violence charges in 2019 and 2020.
She stated that his 2020 arrest involved eight domestic violence charges, saying she hoped sharing her story would empower others in abusive relationships to seek help. In 2021, Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a partner related to the 2020 arrest.
He was sentenced to 45 days in jail, four years of formal probation, 52 domestic violence classes, $500 in restitution and a five-year protective order. He spent 13 days in jail, while the other charges were dropped. The 2019 case was dismissed.
According to a police report obtained by PEOPLE, Brian and his brother Zach were with Panettiere when EMS arrived. Brian showed police a “bag of medication” the actress was allegedly taking. Responding officer Matthew Bryan wrote that Zach was “very emotional,” while Brian was not visibly emotional until she was declared dead.
The officer spoke more “in depth” with Brian and noted that Zach referred to Panettiere as his brother’s girlfriend, while the officer’s body camera was active during this time. She was first linked to Brian in 2018 and later described that period as “a very dark and complicated time in my life”, while privately struggling with addiction.
