Hayden Panettiere’s ex-boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and Hickerson’s brother, Zach Hickerson, were both at Panettiere’s apartment when she died Sunday, according to a newly released — and heavily redacted — incident report by the Greenville Police Department.
The responding officer was on scene at 1:58 p.m. Sunday, about 30 minutes before Panettiere, 36, was pronounced deceased at 2:32 p.m.
“I spoke with Zach Hickerson first,” reads the report.
Zach Hickerson reportedly told the officer that his brother and Panettiere were dating. A large section of the incident presumably about Zach Hickerson’s recollection of the afternoon is redacted, ending with the text, “They then called 911.”
Brian Hickerson’s interview with the officer is also similarly heavily redacted: “I spoke with Brian and he advised me [redacted]. He advised [redacted]. They then called 911.”
A person with knowledge of the situation told The New York Times on condition of anonymity that Panettiere suffered cardiac arrest as a result of an apparent drug overdose. JS has not independently verified that detail.
The police report described Zach Hickerson as “very emotional” while emergency medical technicians were working on Hayden, while “Brian did not become emotional until EMS declared her officially deceased.”
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said Monday that Panettiere’s autopsy showed no signs of trauma that would have contributed to her death, but didn’t speculate about the cause of death.
“The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies,” the office said. “This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time.”