HAYDEN Panettiere’s on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson has broken his silence on the actress’ sudden death from a suspected overdose.
The Nashville star died on Sunday afternoon at her South Carolina Airbnb, where she was staying with Brian and his brother Zach Hickerson.
An investigation is currently ongoing into what led to the 36-year-old’s death, and the Drug Enforcement Administration has joined the team.
Brian, 37, has spoken out for the first time since the incident through his attorney, Sloan Ellis, from the Ellis Hinton law firm.
“Hayden’s death remains under investigation, and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” Brian’s attorney told The U.S. Sun on Thursday.
“As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play.”
The statement concluded, “Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”
Brian was spotted on Wednesday in Greenville, South Carolina, close to where Hayden died, wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a hoodie.
He’d been keeping a low profile since his brother discovered Hayden unconscious in a chair in the living room, where she was later declared dead, per a police report obtained by The U.S. Sun.
Police said that while Zach was very emotional upon the discovery, Brian apparently didn’t shed a tear until Hayden was officially declared dead.
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Brian also told cops that the Remember the Titans star regularly took a “bag of medication.”
All eyes have since been on Brian’s family, as more questions surface about Hayden’s unexpected passing.
Hayden’s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, slammed Brian in an interview with NBC News on Tuesday, saying, “This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death, and that was Brian Hickerson.”
It wasn’t a secret that Hayden and Brian had a tumultuous, years-long relationship since meeting in 2018.
Brian was arrested for domestic violence and served 45 days in jail in 2021 for hitting Hayden with a closed fist.
He pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring the former child star.
However, they appeared to have reconciled as Brian has been staying with Hayden in her Los Angeles apartment for the last two years, The U.S. Sun exclusively reported.
The Heroes star’s neighbors have also raised alarm about the pair’s relationship and were even warned by the Homeowner’s Association to call the police if they saw Brian on the property last August.
Hayden’s neighbor, Mia Terrazzas, claimed to Inside Edition that notices were distributed on the property urging residents to be wary of Brian.
Mia also said she herself even called 911 numerous times over disturbances involving Brian inside Hayden’s unit.
Hayden’s history with addiction is also of great concern, as sources claimed she sought out whippets and booze just months earlier at a Nashville hotel, despite her efforts to get clean.