Hayden Panettiere’s sudden death triggers criminal investigation as police conduct welfare check on her boyfriend

Authorities have opened a “death investigation” to determine what really happened in the moments before actress Hayden Panettiere died at a home in South Carolina.

Multiple US news outlets including TMZ are reporting that law enforcement sources began the investigation because “Hayden’s death was unexpected”.

Police will reportedly run their investigation alongside the coroner to determine the true cause and manner of the actress’ death. 

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

Panettiere’s on-and-off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were at the scene when she died. 

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.

On Wednesday afternoon, Brian was seen for the first time in public since Panettiere’s sudden death. 

He was photographed getting into a car with his brother, keeping a low profile wearing sunglasses and a hat.

It comes after revelations about the emergency response to Panettiere’s “overdose” revealed that Brian and his brother Zach were both at the property.

A heavily redacted report from the Greenville Police Department, obtained by Page Six, said Zach referred to Panettiere as his “brother’s girlfriend” at the scene. 

According to responding officer Matthew Bryan, Brian “did not become emotional” until Panettiere was officially declared dead. 

Brian 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. 

Brian is yet to comment publicly or respond to her death. 

The National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline (1800 250 015) provides free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs, including available treatment options, and automatically directs the caller to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service in their state/territory.