Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend Brian Hickerson breaks silence one month after her death

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA: Brian Hickerson is publicly addressing Hayden Panettiere’s death for the first time, nearly a month after her August 16 passing, speaking briefly about the tragedy during a stop at a gas station in Greenville.

Panettiere had previously spoken openly about her struggles with substance abuse, which began during her teenage years in the entertainment industry, and sought treatment in 2020.

Brian Hickerson speaks out following Hayden Panettiere’s death

While speaking to a photographer, Hickerson was asked how he was doing. The 37-year-old replied, “How do you think I'm doing?”

When the photographer extended his condolences, he responded, “Appreciate it. That's all I got for you, man.” Hickerson’s comments come nearly a month after his attorney, Sloan Ellis, released a statement to E! News on his behalf.

“Hayden's death remains under investigation,” the statement read, adding that it was important to allow the investigation to proceed. It also said there would be no further comment at that time “out of respect for Hayden's loved ones.”

Panettiere’s family are still awaiting answers about her final hours and the circumstances of her death. She was found unresponsive due to cardiac arrest by EMS, who “attempted to perform life saving methods for an extended amount of time,” according to an incident report.

The cause and manner of death remain pending amid the investigation, while Greenville County Coroner Mike Ellis’ autopsy report stated that “no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death.”

Meanwhile, 911 dispatch audio reported by multiple outlets indicated that paramedics assessed an apparent overdose.

Brian Hickerson’s presence detailed in death investigation report

Officers at the scene documented Hickerson’s presence in a death investigation report. According to the record, Hickerson “did not become emotional” until Panettiere was pronounced dead. His brother, Zach Hickerson, who identified Brian as her boyfriend, was described as “very emotional” while responders attempted to save her life.

Brian also showed authorities a “bag of medication” that he alleged belonged to Panettiere, stating that she had been taking the medication leading up to the fatal incident. Before rekindling her relationship with Brian, which had been on and off since 2018, Hayden had told E! News in May that she was single.

The relationship had also been marked by legal issues stemming from a domestic violence incident in 2020. Brian was sentenced to 45 days in jail after pleading no contest to two counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend.

Following her death, her mother, Lesley Vogel, also spoke publicly about their relationship. On August 20, she told Entertainment Tonight that she and Hayden were estranged “due to the involvement of a toxic individual.”

Vogel alleged that Brian’s romantic relationship with her daughter had been a source of contention. “This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death,” Vogel told NBC News on August 18, adding, “and that was Brian Hickerson.”