Brian Hickerson has broken his silence on Hayden Panettiere’s death in a brief exchange with a photographer.
Hickerson, 35, was approached by a videographer in a clip and asked how he was “holding up” after the Heroes star died last month at age 36. The on-and-off boyfriend, who was with Panettiere when she passed away according to a police report, offered only a terse response before ending the interaction.
“How do you think I’m doing?” Hickerson fired back.
When the person recording offered condolences, he replied: “Appreciate it. That’s all I got for you, man.”
The encounter came as Hickerson was visibly nursing facial injuries from a bar brawl in Greenville, South Carolina on Saturday night. He was arrested at the scene but released without charges, while his brother Zach Hickerson was taken into custody for disorderly conduct.
Panettiere’s death has been surrounded by conflicting reports about its cause. Some outlets reported that the 36-year-old actress died from consuming oxycodone laced with fentanyl. Her representative pushed back against those claims in a statement, emphasizing that the investigation remains open.
“As reported yesterday by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, Hayden’s death remains under investigation pending the completion of toxicology results, despite reports from some outlets stating otherwise,” they said.
“Recent reports attributed to unnamed sources are unverified hearsay and have attributed to conflicting information that continues to circulate.”
The rep continued: “While we are all eager to find closure and better understand the circumstances surrounding her passing, we must remain patient and allow the investigative process to unfold. The answers we are all seeking will come.”
Panettiere and Hickerson were first linked in 2018 following her split from fiancé Wladimir Klitschko. Their relationship was marked by turbulence, including Hickerson’s arrest on a domestic violence charge and subsequent felony domestic violence charge, which was dismissed in September 2019. The pair reportedly separated in 2022, though they were spotted together on multiple occasions afterward, including at Los Angeles International Airport earlier this year, fueling reconciliation speculation.
The actress died shortly before what would have been her 37th birthday. Klitschko, who shares 11-year-old daughter Kaya with Panettiere, marked the occasion with a tribute on social media.
“Today is Hayden’s birthday. Instead of celebrating the way we had planned, today we celebrate her life, her spirit, and the love she brought into this world,” the retired Ukrainian boxer wrote.
“I want to thank all of Hayden’s fans, friends, and everyone who has reached out for the incredible outpouring of love and support.”
He added: “At a time filled with so much sadness, your kindness has reminded me that there is still so much good in humanity.”
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office has described the death investigation as “active and ongoing.”