By TMZ | Created at 2026-08-19 03:17:04 | Updated at 2026-08-20 04:05:42
1 day ago
Hayden Panettiere's Boyfriend Faced Financial Troubles Years After Domestic Violence Arrests
Published August 18, 2026 5:30 PM PDT | Updated August 18, 2026 6:05 PM PDT
Hayden Panettiere's boyfriend Brian Hickerson faced serious money issues during their on-again, off-again relationship ... TMZ has learned.
TMZ obtained a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition filed by Brian on July 18, 2022, listing assets totaling $25,700 and liabilities totaling around $60k.
He said his monthly expenses totaled $1,248 per month, but his average monthly income was zero. Brian listed his assets as a 1990 Ford Bronco with 160k miles worth $3k, an "inoperable" 2008 Toyota Prius worth $2k, a Harley-Davidson worth $3k, and a Chevrolet Silverado truck worth $8k. Brian said the truck was his dad’s, but it was in his name.
The petition says pretty much the only other property he owned was an iPhone and printer worth $1,250, $2k in clothing, and $100 in jewelry. The paperwork said he had $6,250 in his checking account.
Brian’s debt included around $20k in credit card debt and approximately $18k owed in medical bills. At the time, Brian said he started a new job at a staffing company but had only been there 2 weeks.
The case was closed months later.
The bankruptcy came years after Brian was arrested for domestic violence against Hayden.
Hayden and Brian dated publicly from 2018 to 2022 … despite him being accused of domestic violence against her multiple times.
Our sources told us the two were still together this year and kept their romance a secret due to her team telling her not to be seen with him while promoting her book.
Hayden passed away on Sunday after Zach Hickerson, Brian's brother, found her unresponsive ... 911 was called, but Hayden could not be revived and was pronounced dead at 2:32 PM.
Brian was traveling with Hayden to South Carolina ... and he was in the room when EMS tried to save her from cardiac arrest.
