Inside Hayden Panettiere’s dark, violent relationship with boyfriend Brian Hickerson before her sudden death at 36

HAYDEN Panettiere had a long, tumultuous history with on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson in the years before her shocking death at 36. Tragic Hayden, who died of a suspected overdose on August 16, began dating South Carolina native Brian, 37, in 2018 – and the relationship sparked controversy almost immediately. Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson, here in August 2018, had a very tumultuous relationship from the start Credit: Mega Brian, here with Hayden in December 2018, was arrested for domestic violence in May 2019 Credit: Rex When they were spotted for the very first time together partying at a bar in Malibu that year, an onlooker told Radar Online she was “drunk and vomiting” outside. Her family and friends were “deeply concerned,” a source told the outlet in November 2018. “They do not approve. They are hoping that this is something that she is going to evolve from.” Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! But they stayed together, and things went from bad to worse. In May 2019, Brian was arrested for domestic violence after an incident at the actress’ Hollywood home. Read More Hayden Panettiere According to the LAPD, cops were called after a heated altercation turned physical on May 2 at 2:30 am. Hayden allegedly sustained injuries to her arms, ears, and neck area. “He hit her on the face, causing her to get dizzy,” the prosecutor said at a court hearing. Responding officers claimed he actually beat her three separate times within two days in May. Most read in Entertainment Hayden and Brian held hands at a Range Rover dealership just days after his May 2019 arrestCredit: Refer to source Hayden and Brian stayed together for years, and attended her late brother’s funeral together in 2023 in her native New York Credit: Getty “Right off the bat, I noticed that she had bruising on her eyelids, a swollen face. She did have marks on her neck, the left side. When I continued to talk to her she removed the sweater that she had on. I saw bruising on both her arms,” the officer said. But just a few days after his arrest, they were spotted holding hands while shopping for new cars. Despite Hayden staying by his side, Brian was charged with a felony. The case was ultimately dismissed, in part due to there being no cooperating witnesses in the case. That summer, Brian reportedly got into a physical fight with her brother Jansen during a family vacation. (Jansen later died in 2023.) On Valentine’s Day 2020, Brian was arrested again for domestic violence while the pair was vacationing in Wyoming. Hayden told officers he threw her and then punched her in the face. Soon after this incident, Hayden released a statement to fans about Brian’s past arrests. Hayden and Brian held hands in January 2019 Credit: Getty Hayden and Brian were last seen together in March 2026 at the airport on LA Credit: BackGrid “I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve,” she said. “I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again. I’m grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life.” “After suffering for years as the victim of psychological, emotional and severe physical abuse, Hayden Panettiere has begun the process of taking back her life,” Hayden’s lawyer said. “Hayden has found the strength and courage to share the truth about her abuse and her abuser.” Brian ultimately was sentenced to 45 days in jail. According to reports, he served 12 days in jail. By July 2021, Hayden and Brian were spotted hanging out together again. The following year, Brian was accused of getting into a massive group brawl outside a hotel in Hollywood. He was accused of spitting on someone, TMZ reported at the time. Hayden dated Wladimir Klitschko until their split in 2018, and gave birth to their daughter Kaya in 2014 Credit: Getty Hayden, here in 2024, was believed to be single in her final years – but sources said she was secretly still with Brian Credit: Getty Hayden was with him during the fight, but was not injured. In 2022, Hayden first admitted to battling with an addiction to opiates and alcohol in recent years. Hayden and Brian kept a low profile during the final years of her life, though he was spotted attending her brother Jansen’s funeral by her side in 2023. He was also spotted helping her through a Los Angeles airport while she hobbled on crutches in March of this year. When she released her memoir earlier this year, it was reported that Hayden and Brian had split long ago. But according to TMZ, the couple was fully together and hiding the romance. “Hayden’s team felt Brian was bad for business,” a source told the outlet. Brian and Hayden even traveled from L.A. to South Carolina together the day before her death. Hayden was found unresponsive in a local Greenville apartment due to an apparent overdose on August 16. Despite paramedics’ efforts to revive her, she was declared dead around 2 pm. According to reports, Brian was staying in the apartment with her when she died. Hayden’s survivors include her daughter Kaya, 11, with ex-fiance Wladimir Klitschko. Comment now