GREENVILLE, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) — Actress Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend and his brother were with her during her final moments, according to an incident report.
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Panettiere was found dead in a Greenville apartment on Sunday afternoon, according to the Greenville City Police Department. She was 36.
Officers and EMS personnel responded at 1:58 p.m. to the Judson Mill Lofts for a report of an unresponsive woman. First responders performed CPR, but Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m.
Autopsy completed
Officials with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office completed an autopsy Monday morning. Coroner Mike Ellis confirmed Panettiere had no visible injuries or trauma, and preliminary findings have not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An official cause and manner of death are currently pending further toxicology and testing.
Incident report details
According to the Greenville Police Department’s redacted incident report, officers arrived at the scene to assist EMS and found multiple first responders already performing lifesaving measures.
In 911 dispatch audio, first responders can be heard discussing a possible overdose.
A responding officer spoke with two men at the apartment, identified as Panettiere’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, 37, and his brother, Zach Hickerson. The men called 911 after finding Panettiere unresponsive in the apartment.
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The incident report notes that Zach Hickerson appeared “very emotional” while first responders worked on Panettiere, and her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, became emotional after she was declared dead. Brian Hickerson showed officers a bag of medication Panettiere had been taking.
Detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit and the Coroner’s Office are investigating the death. A search warrant was executed at the apartment, and the courtesy officer at Judson Mills told police that CCTV footage showed all three people arriving and leaving the property.
Though the reason Panettiere was in Greenville is still unknown, her “Nashville” co-star Charles Esten performed at The Foundry at Judson Mill on Friday night, a venue sharing the same address as the Judson Mill Lofts where she was found. Police have not confirmed if his performance was the reason she was in town.
Recent memoir highlighted struggles
Panettiere published a memoir in May called “This is Me: A Reckoning.” In the book, she detailed her childhood, time in the limelight, and struggles with alcohol, opioids and postpartum depression.
Panettiere was best known for her roles in the TV shows “Heroes” and “Nashville” as well as films such as “Ice Princess” and the “Scream” franchise.
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