Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend Brian Hickerson breaks silence following star’s sudden death

Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, has broken his silence following the star’s sudden death aged 36.

Panettiere’s death was announced Sunday, August 16 (Monday, August 17 AEST), and the cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Hickerson’s attorney, Sloan Ellis, shared a statement with TMZ on Sunday, August 20.

“Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” the statement began.

“As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play.

“Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”

According to a heavily redacted report from the Greenville Police Department, obtained by Page Six, Hickerson and his brother were at the scene of Panettiere’s death.

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The 911 emergency call was published by multiple US outlets, revealing that paramedics were called to the property in South Carolina over reports of an overdose. It was reportedly a friend of Panettiere’s who made the phone call.

According to the police report, Hickerson’s brother was “very emotional” as paramedics worked on her. Hickerson allegedly “did not become emotional” until Panettiere was declared dead on the scene.

Hickerson also handed over a “bag of medication” the actress had in her possession at the time of her death.

The names of the medications have been redacted in the report, although nine were listed according to the outlet.

The responding officer, Matthew Bryan, was wearing a body camera throughout the response; however, footage has not been publicly released.

Police conducted a welfare check on Wednesday morning US time, at the home of Brian’s grandmother in Greenville, South Carolina.

According to Page Six, two police cars arrived at the property at 8:20am and one officer went to the home and repeatedly knocked on the front door but received no response.

They returned about 90 minutes and went around the back to “conduct a welfare check,” though they did not specify the individual or individuals involved.

The officers left about 10 minutes later.

At the time that Panettiere’s death was announced, a spokesperson for the Greenville Police Department confirmed that a preliminary investigation, had “not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.”

Authorities have since opened a “death investigation”, with police and the coroner working to determine the true cause and manner of the star’s death.

Detectives are also trying to determine if there “could be criminal conduct” behind her death.

Multiple US outlets also report that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has joined the investigation.

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