Home / Arts and Entertainment / Hayden Panettiere's Death: Boyfriend Faces DEA Probe
Hayden Panettiere's Death: Boyfriend Faces DEA Probe
11 Sep
Summary
- Boyfriend Brian Hickerson met with DEA as part of investigation.
- Autopsy showed no signs of trauma contributing to death.
- Hickerson has a history of domestic violence charges.
Brian Hickerson, the on-again, off-again boyfriend of the late actress Hayden Panettiere, has met with federal law enforcement as part of the ongoing investigation into her sudden death. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has interviewed Hickerson, and other individuals have also been questioned.
Panettiere was discovered unresponsive at a Greenville, South Carolina residence on August 16, 2026. An autopsy conducted on August 17, 2026, indicated no signs of trauma that would have contributed to her passing. The cause of death remains under active investigation, pending toxicology results.
Hickerson, who has a history of domestic violence arrests related to his relationship with Panettiere, has not been named a suspect at this time. His attorney stated there were no signs of foul play, respecting the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are reportedly seeking a suspect believed to have supplied drugs to Panettiere, which may have led to her death. This investigation is focusing on a potential drug dealer. In the past, Hickerson faced multiple domestic violence charges, pleading no contest to two felony counts in 2021, resulting in jail time and probation.
