The investigation into the death of Hayden Panettiere, the actress best known for Heroes and Nashville, who died on August 16 at age 36, is taking new turns almost daily. Greenville, South Carolina police reportedly showed up at the home of her on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson's family this week, while the DEA has now joined the probe. Here is everything confirmed so far — and what still remains unknown.
The Police Visit to Hickerson's Family Home
According to reporting from Page Six and TMZ, two Greenville police vehicles arrived at the home belonging to Brian Hickerson's family on Wednesday morning. Officers described the visit as a "safety welfare check." One officer knocked repeatedly on the front door with no answer, while another approached a side entrance. Hickerson's brother, Zach Hickerson, was reportedly inside the home at the time. No details about what was discussed, or whether anything came of the visit, have been made public.
⚠️ Important context: Police have publicly stated there were no signs of foul play in their initial response. No one has been named a suspect, and no charges have been filed against anyone connected to this case.
What the Police Report Reveals About Her Final Moments
A redacted incident report obtained by multiple outlets shows that when officers arrived at the Greenville apartment on Sunday, both Brian and Zach Hickerson were present and had called 911 after finding Panettiere unresponsive. The responding officer noted a striking contrast in the two brothers' reactions.
Zach was described as "very emotional" while EMS worked to save her. Brian, by contrast, reportedly did not show emotion until she was officially declared dead. The report also states that Brian handed officers a bag of medication Panettiere had been taking.
"I observed Zach to be very emotional while EMS were working on Hayden. Brian did not become emotional until EMS declared her officially deceased."
— Responding officer, Greenville PD incident reportAutopsy, Toxicology & the DEA's Involvement
An autopsy was completed the day after Panettiere was found. The Greenville County Coroner's Office confirmed that no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to her death. Her official cause and manner of death remain pending the results of toxicology testing, which authorities say could take several weeks.
This week, sources confirmed to ABC News and the New York Times that the federal Drug Enforcement Administration has joined the investigation, assisting the Greenville Police Department. Separately, TMZ reported that investigators are reportedly not fully convinced her death was simply the result of an overdose of prescribed medication, and are examining whether other factors were involved.
Panettiere and Hickerson had flown together from Los Angeles to South Carolina just one day before her death.
Who Is Brian Hickerson — and Their Turbulent History
Panettiere and Hickerson first began dating in 2018, and their relationship has been on-again, off-again ever since. It has also been marked by repeated domestic violence arrests — Hickerson was taken into custody more than once between 2019 and 2021 on suspicion of domestic violence against Panettiere, ultimately pleading no contest and serving 45 days in jail in 2021.
Panettiere spoke publicly about the relationship in her 2026 memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she opened up about postpartum depression, addiction and recovery, trauma, and domestic abuse. Despite everything, the two reconciled multiple times over the years, with Panettiere telling the New York Times in a past interview that their relationship was "contingent on him continuing on this road of recovery."
"A Dark Energy": What Her Director Recently Revealed
In one of the most striking new details, Griff Furst, who directed Panettiere in her 2025 film A Breed Apart, spoke out days after her death, describing troubling signs he noticed on set — with Hickerson present.
"Hayden was incredibly sweet and gracious and excited to work, but she was not okay... it was pretty clear that she wasn't okay and the energy in her room was pretty dark."
— Griff Furst, director of "A Breed Apart"Furst said he was told by the film's security team that "something was off" after they picked Panettiere up from the airport, and that she arrived on set accompanied by Hickerson. He declined to elaborate further, saying only that "what's true is what's public record."
Her Family's Concerns
Panettiere's mother, Lesley Vogel, has publicly voiced concern about her daughter's relationship with Hickerson in the wake of her death, though she has not confirmed specific new allegations. The family previously lost Hayden's younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023 at age 28 of cardiomegaly (an enlarged heart) — a loss Hayden spoke about publicly and mourned deeply.
The Bottom Line
No charges have been filed and no one has been named a suspect in Hayden Panettiere's death. But between the DEA's involvement, the police visit to Hickerson's family home, and new accounts of "dark energy" surrounding her final months, questions are mounting faster than answers. Toxicology results — expected in the coming weeks — may finally provide clarity. We'll update this story as it develops.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Hayden Panettiere die?
The official cause and manner of death haven't been determined yet. Her autopsy showed no signs of trauma; toxicology results are still pending and could take weeks.
Was Brian Hickerson with her when she died?
Yes, along with his brother Zach. Both were present and called 911 when they found her unresponsive.
Is Brian Hickerson a suspect?
No one has been formally named a suspect and no charges have been filed. Police reported no signs of foul play initially, though the case remains open and the DEA is now assisting.
Why did police visit Hickerson's family home?
Police described it as a safety welfare check. No details about the visit's purpose or outcome have been released.
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