Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, has issued a brief statement following the actress’s death at the age of 36, urging people to allow authorities to complete their investigation before drawing conclusions.
Hickerson’s comments came after Panettiere, known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, was found unresponsive at her home in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday.
According to police, the actress was in cardiac arrest when she was discovered.
The Greenville County coroner’s office subsequently conducted a post-mortem examination.
Authorities have said there were no apparent signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
Family and boyfriend ask for privacy
A statement issued on Hickerson’s behalf by Ellis Hinton law firm said the circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death remain under investigation.
The statement stressed that the process should be allowed to continue and noted that police had publicly confirmed there were no indications of foul play.
Hickerson also declined to provide further details, citing respect for Panettiere’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation.
The cause and manner of death had not been officially confirmed in the information available.
Panettiere remembered as an “incredible light”
Panettiere’s representatives said the actress would be remembered by those closest to her as an extraordinary presence who brought immense love and happiness to the people around her.
Her father, Skip Panettiere, similarly described his daughter as “an incredible light” and “a force of nature”.
He asked for privacy as the family attempts to process what he described as an unimaginable loss.
The family’s comments have highlighted the personal grief surrounding the death of an actress who became a familiar face to television and film audiences from a young age.
Wladimir Klitschko shares family’s grief
Panettiere’s former partner, retired Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko, also spoke about the loss, saying his family was experiencing profound shock and grief.
The pair began dating in 2009 and remained together until 2018.
They welcomed their daughter, Kaya, in 2014.
Their relationship later came to an end as Panettiere faced significant personal struggles.
In 2018, she gave Klitschko full custody of their daughter while dealing with addiction and mental health difficulties.
Despite their separation, Panettiere and Klitschko remained connected through their daughter.
A career that began in childhood
Panettiere entered the entertainment industry when she was still a child, initially appearing in television soap operas before moving into larger film and television roles.
One of her early high-profile appearances came in the 2000 sports drama Remember the Titans, where she starred alongside Denzel Washington.
She also lent her voice to the character Dot in Pixar’s animated film A Bug’s Life, released in 1998.
Those early roles established Panettiere as a familiar young performer and helped pave the way for her later success.
Heroes turned her into a household name
Panettiere achieved international recognition after taking on the role of cheerleader Claire Bennet in the superhero series Heroes.
Her character became one of the show’s central figures, helping make Panettiere one of the best-known young television stars of her generation.
The series ran for multiple seasons and became a major part of the actress’s career.
Nashville showcased her acting and singing
Panettiere later took on another defining role as country singer Juliette Barnes in the television drama Nashville.
She played the ambitious and troubled performer for six seasons, earning two Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress.
Her work on the series also extended beyond acting.
Songs performed by Panettiere as part of the show entered the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart on 11 occasions.
The role demonstrated her ability to combine acting and music while portraying a character whose professional ambitions were often complicated by personal struggles.
Panettiere also found success on the big screen
Her film career included a range of projects spanning comedy, drama and horror.
Among her credits were Raising Helen, Bring It On: All or Nothing and Scream 4, where she played Kirby Reed.
She later returned to the Scream franchise in Scream VI, reprising the role of Kirby.
Her career therefore stretched across television, cinema and music, with her performances establishing her as a versatile entertainer.
Personal struggles were previously made public
Despite her professional success, Panettiere had openly discussed difficult periods in her personal life.
She previously acknowledged struggling with addiction during her 20s, while her family situation also became the subject of public attention following the decision regarding custody of her daughter.
The pressures associated with growing up in the entertainment industry were also something she had spoken about.
Her death has prompted renewed attention on those struggles, although her family has emphasized the need for privacy during the grieving process.
A final project emerges after her death
Attention has also turned to a campaign involving Panettiere that was filmed weeks before her death.
Animal rights organization PETA released material connected to a dolphin campaign featuring the actress, providing another glimpse of her work shortly before her passing.
The project has added to the tributes surrounding Panettiere as fans and colleagues revisit her career and advocacy work.
Investigation remains ongoing
While police have said there were no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances, officials have not yet publicly established the cause and manner of Panettiere’s death.
That uncertainty explains Hickerson’s decision to issue a limited statement rather than discuss the circumstances in detail.
Authorities are expected to complete their investigation and provide further information when appropriate.
Until then, Panettiere’s family, friends and former colleagues are mourning the loss of an actress whose career began in childhood and continued across major television, film and music projects.
What’s next?
The immediate focus remains on the official investigation and any findings from the coroner concerning the cause and manner of death.
Panettiere’s family has asked for privacy, while Hickerson has similarly declined further comment as the investigation continues.
For fans, the coming days are likely to bring further tributes celebrating her work in Heroes, Nashville, the Scream franchise and other projects that defined her career.
Summary
Hayden Panettiere has died aged 36, prompting an outpouring of grief from her family, former partner Wladimir Klitschko and fans around the world.
Her boyfriend Brian Hickerson has now spoken publicly, stressing that the investigation into her death should be allowed to continue and confirming that police had reported no signs of foul play.
The actress leaves behind a career that began during childhood and included major roles in Heroes and Nashville, alongside film appearances and music performances.
While the circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation, those closest to Panettiere have asked for privacy as they mourn the loss of a performer remembered as a powerful and much-loved presence.
