Reports also stated that Panettiere traveled from Los Angeles to South Carolina the day before her death with her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson.
Their relationship had generated headlines for years because of Hickerson’s previous arrests and domestic violence case involving Panettiere. In 2021, he pleaded no contest to two felony counts and received jail time, probation and domestic violence classes.
Panettiere had previously spoken publicly about the abuse she said she experienced.
Although their complicated relationship later continued on an on-and-off basis, reports identifying Hickerson as Panettiere’s traveling companion before her death have not accused him of involvement in her death.
Hayden Panettiere’s Cause of Death Remains Pending
For now, the completed autopsy has ruled out trauma contributing to Panettiere’s death, but it has not provided the definitive answer many fans are waiting for.
Her father, Skip Panettiere, remembered his daughter as an extraordinary presence whose impact reached far beyond her family.
From Remember the Titans and Heroes to Nashville and the Scream franchise, Panettiere spent much of her life in the public eye.
Now, as fans and loved ones mourn the actress, attention remains on the pending investigation and additional testing that could ultimately provide answers about what happened during her final hours.