HAYDEN Panettiere’s on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson has been spotted for the first time since her shocking death.
Brian, 37, looked solemn as he stepped out on Wednesday in a hat, sunglasses and hoodie in his native Greenville, South Carolina – close to where his on-off girlfriend Hayden died on Sunday at just 36.
Brian has been keeping a low profile in recent days, and has not made a public statement since her death.
Brian and his brother Zach were at the Greenville rental apartment when Hayden was discovered unresponsive in a “possible overdose” on Sunday afternoon.
In a police report obtained by The U.S. Sun, cops said Zach walked into the apartment after 1 pm to find Hayden unconscious on a chair in the living room.
Brian was apparently asleep in another room at the time of the horrific discovery.
One of the brothers called 911, and an emergency medical team rushed to the scene.
While police said Zach was extremely emotional as the first responders attempted to save her life, Brian apparently did not shed a tear until Hayden was officially declared dead an hour later.
Brian told cops Hayden regularly took a “bag of medication,” and a long list of redacted prescription names were included in the police report.
Now, the tragedy’s fall-out is unfolding for Brian and his family.
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Police arrived to Brian’s grandmother’s home on Wednesday morning.
“Greenville Police officers responded to a call for a welfare check at a home belonging to Brian Hickerson’s family on Wednesday morning,” police told The U.S. Sun in a statement.
“The call is unrelated to the Hayden Panettiere death investigation and did not require an incident report.”
But TMZ reported earlier on Wednesday that a criminal investigation has been launched into the death.
According to the outlet, the investigation was triggered because Hayden’s death was “unexpected.”
Hayden and Brian have a long, tumultuous history since first meeting in 2018.
In May 2019, Brian was arrested for domestic violence.
According to the LAPD, cops were called to Hayden’s Los Angeles home after a heated altercation on May 2 at 2:30 am.
“Right off the bat, I noticed that she had bruising on her eyelids, a swollen face. She did have marks on her neck, the left side. When I continued to talk to her she removed the sweater that she had on. I saw bruising on both her arms,” the responding officer said.
The case was ultimately dismissed.
But on Valentine’s Day 2020, Brian was arrested again for domestic violence while the pair was vacationing in Wyoming.
Hayden told officers he threw her and then punched her in the face.
Soon after this arrest, Hayden released a statement to fans.
“I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve,” she said.
“I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again. I’m grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life.”
Brian ultimately was sentenced to 45 days in jail.
Despite her harsh words, the couple was spotted back together again in 2021, with Hayden insisting she “forgave” him.
Three months before her death, Hayden said she was happy and healthy, and it was reported Brian was in her rear-view mirror.
A source told TMZ the pair was secretly together during this time.