Panettiere was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
Emergency personnel responded shortly before 2 p.m. and attempted lifesaving measures, but the Heroes and Nashville actress could not be revived.
Authorities have said their preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An autopsy was subsequently completed, but an official cause of death had not initially been released.
Dispatch communications reportedly included references to cardiac arrest and a possible overdose. However, those emergency references do not constitute an official determination of what caused Panettiere’s death.
As details emerged, reports indicated that Hickerson was at the residence.
His presence immediately attracted attention because of the extraordinary history between the pair.
Their Relationship Began in 2018
Panettiere and Hickerson were first romantically linked in 2018, following the end of her relationship with former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she shared daughter Kaya.
Hickerson largely came from outside the entertainment industry. His professional background included recruiting, sales and business-related positions.
His public profile, however, would eventually become almost inseparable from his relationship with Panettiere.
Initially, Hickerson publicly defended the actress as she faced scrutiny surrounding her daughter, describing Panettiere as a “great mom.”
Within a year, their relationship was making headlines for considerably more troubling reasons.
Hickerson Faced Domestic Violence Charges
In May 2019, Hickerson was arrested in Los Angeles and charged with felony domestic violence following an alleged incident involving Panettiere.
He pleaded not guilty, and a judge issued a restraining order requiring him to remain away from the actress. That particular case was later dismissed after prosecutors reportedly could not secure Panettiere as a witness.
Another arrest followed in February 2020.
Authorities in Jackson, Wyoming, responded to an alleged altercation between the couple on Valentine’s Day.
According to reports citing police documents, Panettiere told authorities Hickerson had thrown her around inside a bedroom and punched her. Officers reportedly observed injuries.
The legal consequences eventually became more substantial.
In 2021, Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse, cohabitant, fiancé, boyfriend, girlfriend or child’s parent.
He was sentenced to 45 days in jail and four years of probation. Hickerson was also ordered to complete domestic violence classes and comply with a protective order.
Panettiere publicly addressed her experience during this period.