Brian Hickerson's 'strange attitude' in interview about relationship with Hayden Panettiere resurfaces

An interview with Brian Hickerson, the on-again, off-again partner of the late actress Hayden Panettiere, has drawn renewed attention following her death. The conversation with TMZ, recorded three months before Panettiere was found unresponsive at her home in Greenville, South Carolina, focused on the domestic violence that marked their relationship.

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Hayden, I give you ten seconds to run as fast as you can before I throw this at you.

Hickerson's remarks, particularly his description of an incident where he threatened Panettiere, have sparked outrage online. He recounted, “There is a story where I was drunk, you know? Hayden was on the other side of the room and I had a phone in my hand, and I told her, ‘Hayden, I give you ten seconds to run as fast as you can before I throw this at you.’”

Adding to the controversy, Hickerson described Panettiere's recently published memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning," as "incredible." In the book, Panettiere detailed various aspects of their tumultuous relationship. Hickerson also stated, “The most important thing is that I was not taught soon enough what domestic violence was. If I had done it at a younger age, maybe I would not have done what I did.”

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The most important thing is that I was not taught soon enough what domestic violence was. If I had done it at a younger age, maybe I would not have done what I did.

His detached and seemingly nonchalant delivery during the interview, including what some users described as a "narcissistic smile" when admitting his actions, has been widely condemned. Comments on social media expressed disbelief and sadness, with users questioning his attitude and apparent lack of remorse. Panettiere and Hickerson were together intermittently between 2018 and 2022, a period marked by several arrests.

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I did it, I did it.