Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend Brian Hickerson has been seen for the first time since the actress’ sudden death at age 36.
Hickerson, 37, stepped outside in South Carolina on Wednesday, August 19, wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap, according to TMZ. The sighting came three days after Panettiere was found unresponsive at a Greenville-area residence.
Neither Hickerson nor his brother, Zach Hickerson, has publicly addressed Panettiere’s death.
Authorities previously confirmed that both brothers were at the residence on August 16. According to the outlet, Brian was sleeping in another room when Zach arrived and found the “Scream” star unresponsive.
Police said the brothers became emotional as emergency personnel attempted to save the “Nashville” actress.
Zach was also photographed for the first time since Panettiere’s death on Tuesday while getting food.
Police Clarify Visit to Hayden Panettiere’s Boyfriend’s Family Home After Hayden Panettiere’s Death
Police also visited a home belonging to a member of Hickerson’s family Wednesday morning, though authorities stressed that the visit was not connected to the investigation into the former “Guiding Light” star’s death.
According to Page Six, Greenville Police Department officers arrived at the South Carolina property at approximately 8:20 a.m. Officers reportedly knocked on several doors but received no response and left after about three minutes.
A Greenville police spokesperson provided additional information to People.
Officers “responded to a call for a welfare check at a home belonging to Brian Hickerson’s family on Wednesday morning,” the spokesperson said.
“The call is unrelated to the Hayden Panettiere death investigation and did not require an incident report.”
The clarification came as authorities continued investigating the circumstances surrounding the “Heroes” star’s death.
Hayden Panettiere Was Found Unresponsive on August 16
Panettiere was found “unresponsive” at a residence at approximately 1:50 p.m. on Sunday, August 16, according to authorities.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said first responders and EMS immediately attempted to save her.
“Advanced cardiac life support” measures were initiated, the office said in a statement. “However, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 p.m.”
Panettiere was 36.
Dispatch audio from the emergency response included officials discussing an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest.” However, authorities have not announced an official cause of death.
Hayden Panettiere Had Reconnected With Brian Hickerson
Panettiere and Hickerson were first linked in 2018. Their relationship went through difficult periods in the years that followed, including legal issues involving Hickerson.
The two eventually reconnected, and Panettiere spoke to People in 2022 about trying to move forward with forgiveness.
“I think [Brian] has done his time and was willing to get help,” she said. “I think about the things I have done in my life that people forgave me for. Making amends is a really important thing that you learn in treatment. And it gives you a lot of inner peace.”
Following Panettiere’s death, her representative shared a statement from her father, Alan “Skip” Panettiere.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” he said. “She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”
Panettiere is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with former partner Wladimir Klitschko.
