Hayden Panettiere's death under investigation; ex-boyfriend breaks silence

Brian Hickerson, who had a relationship with the late actress Hayden Panettiere, has broken his silence following her death. Panettiere, 36, died in South Carolina on Sunday. Her death is currently under investigation, and police have confirmed there are no signs of foul play, according to a statement from Hickerson's lawyer, Sloan Ellis.

No further statements will be made at this time out of respect for Panettiere's family and the ongoing investigation, the lawyer added. Panettiere, known for her roles in "Heroes," "Nashville," and the "Scream" film series, died in Greenville. Police reports indicate Hickerson had contacted the authorities, and his brother was also present at the apartment. Hickerson reportedly showed officers a bag of Panettiere's current medications.

Preliminary investigations into her death have not revealed any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. Panettiere had previously accused Hickerson of abusive behavior, though recent media reports suggested they had reconciled. She is survived by a daughter, born in 2014, with her ex-partner, former world boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko. The child lives in Europe with her father.

Panettiere, who began acting as a child, released a biography in May detailing struggles with alcohol addiction, postpartum depression, and family issues. She also spoke openly about trauma in a podcast, including accusations against Neutrogena, a brand she endorsed for ten years until 2015. Panettiere claimed the company did not renew her contract after she spoke publicly about postpartum depression, a decision that deeply affected her. Following her death, Neutrogena issued a statement calling Panettiere an "esteemed member" of their community and acknowledging they did not adequately support her during a difficult phase.