By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-18 05:57:56 | Updated at 2026-08-18 06:11:26
15 minutes ago
Brian Hickerson, the on-again, off-again boyfriend of the late Hayden Panettiere, had sought to reduce prior felony domestic abuse criminal charges on his record just three days before her tragic death.
The Daily Mail has confirmed that Hickerson had filed a petition for dismissal at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles on August 13.
Prosecutors sought to block both of Hickerson's attempts to have the charges knocked down to misdemeanors in the Thursday hearing, according to Page Six.
Hickerson's attempt was denied by Judge Olivia Rosales, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office told the outlet.
Hickerson had filed two earlier petitions to dismiss the case, on July 18 and on June 27 (in a hearing which was delayed), according to records reviewed by the Daily Mail.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Hickerson's lawyer and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for further comment on the story.
Brian Hickerson, the on-again, off-again boyfriend for the late Hayden Panettiere, had sought to reduce prior felony criminal charges against him just three days before her tragic death
Hickerson had filed two earlier petitions to dismiss the case, on July 18 and on June 27 (in a hearing which was delayed), according to records reviewed by the Daily Mail
Hickerson said in legal docs reviewed by Page Six that he had finished his probation in requesting the court dismiss the case.
He was charged with domestic violence in May of 2019, with Panettiere receiving a protective order in the case - as the charges were eventually dropped.
In July of 2020, he was arrested in connection with eight charges of domestic violence linked to multiple incidents that occurred in the timeframe between May of 2019 and January of 2020.
He eventually entered a no contest plea to a pair of felony counts of injuring a partner in April of 2021, with the rest of the charges dropped.
In 2021, he received a 45-day sentence in county jail, along with four years of probation, attendance at 52 domestic violence courses and a restraining order lasting five years.
Hickerson spent 33 days in Los Angeles Men's Central Jail following a credit for 12 days served, the outlet reported.
This past May, he spoke with TMZ about past instances of domestic violence and abuse in his relationship with the actress, which she detailed in her memoir released that month.
'I got arrested for abusing her, and I wouldn't blame her friends for being pissed off with me, so I don't really have much to say on that,' said Hickerson, who was first linked to the late actress in 2018. 'You never lay hands on a woman, bottom line.'
Hickerson had attempted to reduce his past charges in the days before Panettiere's passing. The late actress pictured in 2022
After the arrest, Panettiere put out a statement saying she hoped she could serve as an example for others in a similar situation.
She said, 'I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me in the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve.'
Hickerson in May told the outlet that he remained in regular contact with Panettiere, and harbored hope they could resume their romance at some point.
He added, 'Hayden is one of the most talented people I’ve ever met in my life.'
