Hayden Panettiere was taking ‘bag of medication’ at time of her death, Brian Hickerson told cops on scene

By Page Six | Created at 2026-08-18 17:54:16 | Updated at 2026-08-20 01:59:11 1 day ago

Hayden Panettiere’s on-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, handed over a “bag of medication” the actress was taking at the time of her death.

Reporting officer Matthew Bryan detailed in a police report obtained by Page Six on Tuesday that Hickerson had “showed” him the “bag of medication” Panettiere had after she was declared dead on scene.

Though the exact names of the medications were redacted in the report, nine were listed.

The reporting officer also detailed in the report that Brian and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were inside the apartment complex Judson Mill Lofts in Greenville, South Carolina, where the “Heroes” actress was found dead on Sunday.

Hayden Panettiere took a “bag of medication” that she was taking at the time of her death. GC Images
Her boyfriend Brian Hickerson (pictured here) showed the bag to police at the scene of her death. Hollywood To You / BACKGRID

While Zach was “very emotional” while emergency medical services professionals were “working on Hayden,” Brian did not become visibly emotional until the 36-year-old was declared dead, per the report.

The responding officer said he was wearing a body camera throughout the emergency response, but the recorded video has not yet been publicly released.

As Page Six previously reported, Panettiere was found “unresponsive” by an “acquaintance” at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina, at around 1:50 p.m. Sunday.

Page Six obtained the highly redacted police report Tuesday, which listed nine medications. Robin Rayne for NY Post
Brian and and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were both inside the apartment complex (seen abvove) where Panettiere was found dead on Sunday. Robin Rayne for NY Post

According to 911 dispatch audio obtained by Page Six on Monday, the Golden Globe nominee suffered an apparent “overdose.”

Emergency responders attempted to resuscitate Panettiere at the apartment complex with “advanced cardiac life support” and chest compressions, but she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.

“Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene,” a Greenville police spokesperson told NBC News initially.

“The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call,” police said.

Brian (pictured in 2018) did not become visibly emotional until EMS declared the 36-year-old dead, per the report. MiamiPIXX / BACKGRID
According to 911 dispatch audio, the Golden Globe nominee (pictured with Brian in 2018) died of an apparent “overdose.” Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock

The day before her death, the “Nashville” star had flown from Los Angeles to the Palmetto State with Brian, her on-again, off-again boyfriend.

Hickerson was first linked to Panettiere in 2018 and recently admitted to “abusing her.” 

Amid their turbulent relationship, Panettiere kept some of her friends “in the dark” about reconnecting with Brian before her passing.

Hayden’s father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed the “tragic passing” to Page Six on Sunday “with profound sadness.”

Upon further investigation, Greenville police found no signs of foul play at the scene. (Pictured: Panettiere and Brian in 2022.) LionsShareNews / BACKGRID
Brian was Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend since 2018 and recently admitted to “abusing her.” Elder Ordonez / SplashNews.com

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. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”

Hayden had released her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” in May, where she reflected on her struggles with postpartum depression and substance abuse.

She had experienced a “traumatic” birth when welcoming her and ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko’s daughter, Kaya, in December 2014.

The “Bring It On: All or Nothing” actress admitted to turning to alcohol in the weeks following Kaya’s birth, drinking a bottle of wine at night before finishing a mini bottle of Fireball the next morning.

In her recent memoir the “Nashville” star opened up about struggling with postpartum depression and substance abuse after welcoming her and Wladimir Klitschko’s daughter, Kaya. (The three seen above.) SBMF / BACKGRID
The actress ultimately made the hard decision to relinquish custody of her daughter to her ex amid her addiction battle. Hayden Panettiere/X

After completing alcoholism treatment, Hayden turned to prescription medication to deal with anxiety after Season 4 of “Nashville” began filming in 2015.

The actress entered treatment a second time at a “fancy” facility in Europe, which resulted in “Nashville” producers temporarily writing her out of the script and Neutrogena cancelling her long-standing contract.

However, Hayden finally found out that she had postpartum depression.

The “Scream 4” star ultimately relinquished custody of Kaya to Klitschko in 2018 amid her battle with postpartum depression and addiction. Kaya, now 11, has lived in Ukraine with her father ever since.

Page Six exclusively reported that Hayden (pictured in 2022) suffered from “really severe” health issues in the months leading up to her tragic death. The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images
One of her close friends told us that the “Heroes” alum (seen above in a May interview) “suffered earlier this year with her back” and “it was even hard for her to move her legs.” YouTube/Jay Shetty Podcast

On Monday, Page Six exclusively reported that Hayden suffered from “really severe” health issues in the months leading up to her tragic death.

“I know she suffered earlier this year with her back,” her hairdresser and good friend, Erick Orellana, told us. “At one point, it was even hard for her to move her legs.”

However, Hayden’s pal noted she was seemingly “starting to be on the mend.”

If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.

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