A police report released Tuesday sheds new light on the final moments of actress Hayden Panettiere, who was found unresponsive at a South Carolina apartment complex on Sunday. According to the document, the 911 call was placed by the actress’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson. A responding officer noted in the report that he spoke with Zach Hickerson first, who identified the woman as his brother’s girlfriend.
The responding officer observed Brian Hickerson presenting a bag of the actress’s medications, though the official report contains several redactions, including a specific list of those prescriptions. Emergency personnel were dispatched to the Greenville residence following reports of a potential cardiac arrest. Despite attempts by medics to resuscitate her at the scene, Panettiere was pronounced dead. A subsequent autopsy performed on Monday found no evidence of physical trauma that would explain her passing.
Panettiere, a California resident, had been staying at the Greenville location temporarily. While dispatch audio from the incident mentioned a possible overdose, authorities have not confirmed whether that was the cause of death. A neighbor at the complex, Micah Lee, reported hearing through his door that someone had collapsed, noting that the property manager later requested that residents refrain from speaking with the media regarding the incident.
The news of the actress’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from colleagues and loved ones. Wladimir Klitschko, her former partner and a retired world heavyweight boxing champion, shared a statement on X, expressing that his family is experiencing profound shock. He praised Panettiere’s immense talent and noted the difficulties she faced within the demanding entertainment industry. The couple shared an 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, who remains in Klitschko’s custody.
Panettiere’s parents have also spoken out following the tragedy. Her father, Skip Panettiere, expressed deep sadness over the loss, while her mother, Lesley Vogel, told NBC News that she believes the actress is now at peace and reunited with her brother, Jansen Panettiere. Jansen, a voice-over actor, died in 2023 at the age of 28 due to an enlarged heart and aortic valve complications. Panettiere had recently discussed the profound impact of her brother’s death, telling podcaster Jay Shetty earlier this year that losing him felt like losing her other half.
Beyond her family life, the actress was remembered for her long-standing advocacy and professional achievements. Just two weeks before her death, she filmed a campaign video for PETA to protest marine parks. The organization honored her as a fierce ally to animals. Additionally, she was a vocal supporter of Ukraine, launching a relief fund in 2022 to provide medical supplies and protective gear following the Russian invasion. Her history of public service also included being honored by the mayor of Washington, D.C., in 2011 for her advocacy regarding statehood and voting rights.
Panettiere’s career began in infancy, with her first commercial appearances at 11 months old. She gained early recognition for her role as Lizzie Spaulding on the soap opera Guiding Light and as the voice of Princess Dot in A Bug’s Life. Her breakout performance as Claire Bennet in the NBC series Heroes solidified her stardom in the early 2000s. Throughout her career, she appeared in numerous projects, including the Nashville series, the Scream franchise, and recent films such as 2024’s Amber Alert and 2026’s Sleepwalker. The actors’ union SAG-AFTRA issued a statement mourning the loss of the veteran performer, who had been a member since 1994. The report also notes that where the father of their child mourned the beloved actress and activist who battled a host of struggles, panettiere’s shocking death sent waves of grief from Hollywood to Ukraine. The report also notes that in the video, the actress lay in a bathtub, asking viewers to imagine a life confined to a tank, the way animals living in marine parks do. The report also notes that “The world has lost a kind soul and the animals a fierce ally, and everyone at PETA holds her memory close,” the organization wrote. The report also notes that but the official cause and manner of death are pending the results of additional testing. The report also notes that but quickly went back into his apartment, he poked his head out to see a lot of people in the hallway. The report also notes that “Residents and community management are not in a position to provide official information or comment on the circumstances surrounding this matter,” according to the email Lee shared with. The report also notes that “All media inquiries should be directed to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.”.
