Hayden Panettiere boyfriend Brian Hickerson’s attorney issues statement on her death: Report

Published August 20, 2026 3:23 PM EDT

Hayden Panettiere's on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson’s attorney issued a statement on Thursday following the death of Panettiere, saying the circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.

The "Nashville" and "Heroes" star died Sunday, a day after departing from Los Angeles.

Brian Hickerson’s attorney issues statement

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Sloan Ellis, of the Ellis Hinton law firm, said in a statement to TMZ that it is important to allow the investigation to proceed. 

"Hayden's death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed," Ellis said in the statement, adding, "As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play."

Brian Hickerson entered an address associated with his brother, Zach, on Aug. 18. Hickerson was the on-again, off-again partner of the late actress, Hayden Panettiere, who died on Aug. 16. (Credit: Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)

He continued, "Out of respect for Hayden's loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time."

Ellis is a former federal prosecutor who has previously worked with federal agencies, including the DEA and FBI. The DEA has also reportedly joined the multi-agency investigation into Panettiere’s death.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the DEA told FOX Local, "The DEA does not confirm or comment on active investigations."

Hayden Panettiere dies Sunday

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Officers and emergency medical personnel responded to a report of an unresponsive woman at the Judson Mill Lofts in Greenville, South Carolina, shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday, the Greenville Police Department said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press.

Life-saving measures were performed, but Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the statement.

Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were at the South Carolina apartment when Panettiere died, according to reports. Brian was reportedly asleep in another room, while Zach Hickerson found Panettiere unresponsive in an armchair.

On Tuesday evening, a police report released revealed more details into her death.

RELATED: Hayden Panettiere's preliminary autopsy released: What it says

The police report, which was heavily redacted, said the responding officer first spoke with Zach, who said the woman was his brother’s girlfriend.

After she was declared dead, the officer escorted the brothers out of the apartment. The officer spoke with Brian "more in depth," but the details of that conversation were redacted in the police report.

Also redacted was a list of medications that Panettiere had been taking.

"I observed Zach to be very emotional while EMS were working on Hayden. Brian did not become emotional until EMS declared her officially deceased," the officer said.

RELATED: Hayden Panettiere death: New details released in police report

"The patient did not seem to have any obvious physical reasons to be unresponsive," the officer also noted. 

Authorities have not publicly announced a cause or manner of death.

This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.

The Source: This story was reported from Los Angeles. TMZ contributed.

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