Brian Hickerson, Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend, has spoken publicly about the actress’s death for the first time.
Hickerson, 37, was approached by a photographer while he was filling his car at a gas station in Greenville, South Carolina, and asked how he was coping, E! News reported Wednesday.
After being offered condolences, about a month after Panettiere died at age 36 on August 16 at a Greenville residence, Hickerson replied, “How do you think I’m doing?” Authorities described her death as a suspected drug “overdose.”
Hickerson, who was at the home with his brother Zach when first responders arrived, then told the photographer, “Appreciate it—that’s all I got for you, man.”
Our News Outlet has contacted Hickerson’s legal representatives for additional comment.
In a statement issued August 20, Hickerson’s attorney, Sloan Ellis, said, “Hayden’s death remains under investigation, and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed.”
Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson, 37, has addressed her death publicly for the first time; pictured in Los Angeles in 2018
Panettiere died at age 36 on August 16 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, in what authorities described as a suspected drug “overdose”; Panettiere and Hickerson pictured in New York in March 2023
“As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time,” he added.
Hickerson has drawn attention in recent days following a series of turbulent incidents.
On Saturday, police were seen handcuffing him after an incident at Wild Wing Cafe in Greenville, South Carolina. Sources told TMZ that Hickerson and his brother confronted other patrons after allegedly being heckled about Panettiere’s death.
Video from the confrontation appeared to show Hickerson throwing a barstool. While in handcuffs, he shouted, “GPD leaked it when my girlfriend died.”
His brother Zach was also taken into custody in connection with a disorderly conduct allegation.
The following day, Hickerson was involved in a motorcycle crash while traveling to pick up his brother from jail. He was riding a Suzuki Hayabusa with Zach as a passenger.
Zach was seen limping after being thrown from the motorcycle and was later observed speaking with the driver of the other vehicle.
A source close to Hickerson told Our News Outlet earlier this week that ‘Brian is not dealing with things well’ and ‘is all kinds of f***ed up right now.’
A representative for Panettiere says that the probe into her passing is still underway, amid reports that she had fatally consumed an oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl; Pictured in LA in 2022
On Wednesday, a representative for Panettiere said that the probe into her passing is still underway, amid reports that she had fatally consumed an oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl.
Panettiere’s representative said in a statement: ‘As reported yesterday by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, Hayden’s death remains under investigation pending the completion of toxicology results, despite reports from some outlets stating otherwise.
‘Recent reports attributed to unnamed sources are unverified hearsay and have attributed to conflicting information that continues to circulate.’
The statement continued: ‘While we are all eager to find closure and better understand the circumstances surrounding her passing, we must remain patient and allow the investigative process to unfold.’
The late Heroes star’s representative concluded by saying that ‘the answers we are all seeking will come.’
Earlier this week, insiders told TMZ that Panettiere’s Los Angeles residence had been searched by Drug Enforcement Administration agents on August 25.
The search came in an effort to obtain evidence to uncover the source of who Panettiere obtained the narcotics which killed her from, sources told the outlet.
On Monday, insiders told the outlet that the late actress had consumed a single pill on the day she died, which officials think had been oxycodone containing the deadly narcotic fentanyl.
The latest statement came amid reports the late actress had consumed a single pill on the day she died, which officials think had been oxycodone containing the deadly narcotic fentanyl. Pictured in LA in 2022
Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson seen on January 31, 2019 in LA
Panettiere had a ‘long time drug dealer’ in Los Angeles who she obtained narcotics from illegally, with oxycodone among them, sources told the outlet.
Authorities said that the day prior to her passing, Panettiere had taken multiple drugs she bought in Los Angeles before flying to South Carolina, where she was found dead the next day.
On the day she died, first responders arrived at a Greenville, South Carolina condo where attempts were made to resuscitate the actress, before she had been pronounced dead.
Authorities said in a report that Brian had given authorities a ‘bag of medication’ Panettiere had.
