Who is Zach Hickerson? What Police report reveals about Hayden Panettiere’s final hours
Zach Hickerson and his brother Brian. CREDIT: TMZ
The name Zach Hickerson has emerged in the investigation into the death of actress Hayden Panettiere after a newly released police report revealed that he and his brother, Brian Hickerson, were at the South Carolina apartment where the actress was found unresponsive.
Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, died at the age of 36 on Sunday. Emergency responders attempted to revive her at the Greenville residence, but she was pronounced dead at the scene at about 2:32 p.m.
The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation. Authorities have not announced an official cause of death, while an autopsy reportedly found no signs of trauma and investigators have said there were no preliminary indications of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
Who Is Zach Hickerson?
Zach Hickerson is the brother of Brian Hickerson, Panettiere’s former and on-and-off boyfriend. His presence at the Greenville apartment became public after police released an incident report detailing what officers encountered when they arrived.
According to the report, a responding officer spoke with both brothers while emergency medical personnel were performing CPR on Panettiere. Zach told the officer that Brian was Panettiere’s boyfriend and that the brothers had called 911.
The report also described Zach as visibly emotional while paramedics attempted to save Panettiere. Brian, according to the officer’s account, did not become visibly emotional until emergency personnel declared the actress dead.
The details have drawn renewed attention because of Panettiere’s complicated history with Brian Hickerson, but the police report does not establish that Zach or Brian caused her death.
What Happened When Police Arrived?
Police were called to the Greenville residence after Panettiere was found unresponsive.
When the responding officer arrived, emergency medical workers were already performing CPR. The officer described Panettiere as unresponsive and said there were no obvious physical reasons for her condition.
Emergency personnel continued lifesaving measures, but the attempts were unsuccessful. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office later said Panettiere had been found in cardiac arrest and that advanced cardiac life support measures had been attempted before she was pronounced dead.
Brian and Zach remained at the scene while officers and emergency personnel handled the situation. Parts of the police report have been redacted, meaning the public record does not provide a complete account of everything discussed with investigators.
What Did Zach Hickerson Tell Police?
The available report says Zach told the responding officer that Brian was Panettiere’s boyfriend and that the brothers had called 911.
The officer also recorded observations about the brothers’ reactions during the emergency response. Zach was described as emotional while medical personnel were attempting to resuscitate Panettiere.
Brian later spoke with the officer in greater detail, although portions of that conversation have been withheld from the publicly released document. The report also states that Brian showed police a bag containing medication that Panettiere had reportedly been taking.
The significance of the medication has not been established publicly. Authorities have not confirmed that drugs or medication caused Panettiere’s death.
What Is Hayden Panettiere’s Cause of Death?
Hayden Panettiere’s official cause and manner of death have not yet been determined.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said the autopsy found no trauma that would have contributed to her death. Investigators are waiting for additional studies, including toxicology, before reaching a final conclusion.
Reports have referenced emergency dispatch information involving a possible overdose and cardiac arrest, but those details should not be treated as an official cause of death. The official investigation remains open.
A toxicology report could provide additional information about substances in Panettiere’s system, but until authorities release a definitive finding, the circumstances of her death remain unresolved.
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Was Foul Play Suspected?
Police have said there were no preliminary signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
That finding is important given the public attention surrounding Panettiere’s relationship with Brian Hickerson and his presence at the apartment. However, the absence of apparent foul play does not by itself establish the medical cause of death.
The investigation is being conducted by the Greenville City Police Department in cooperation with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
Authorities have also requested surveillance footage as part of efforts to establish a clearer timeline of events surrounding Panettiere’s final hours.
Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson’s Troubled Relationship
Brian Hickerson’s connection to the investigation has attracted particular scrutiny because of his history with Panettiere.
The pair began dating in 2018 and had a tumultuous relationship that included domestic violence allegations. Hickerson later pleaded no contest to two felony counts involving injury to a spouse or girlfriend and served jail time.
In August 2026, a Los Angeles judge also rejected Hickerson’s request to reduce his previous felony domestic violence convictions to misdemeanors and expunge the case from his record.
Despite their difficult history, Panettiere had written about Hickerson in her memoir and discussed her decision to forgive him. Their relationship had remained a subject of public interest.
His presence at the apartment when Panettiere died has therefore generated questions, but being present at the scene is not evidence that he caused her death.
What Is Known About Panettiere’s Final Hours?
Public information about Panettiere’s final hours remains limited.
Authorities say she was temporarily staying at the Greenville residence where she was found. An acquaintance’s 911 call brought emergency responders to the location, and Panettiere was found in cardiac arrest.
The police report provides additional information about Brian and Zach Hickerson’s presence and their interactions with officers, but significant portions of the document are redacted.
Investigators have also sought surveillance footage, which could help establish a more complete timeline.
Why Zach Hickerson’s Name Is Trending
Zach Hickerson’s name is attracting attention primarily because of his presence at the scene and his role in the police report.
Unlike his brother Brian, Zach does not have the same publicly documented relationship history with Panettiere. His appearance in the report stems from the fact that he was at the apartment during the emergency and spoke with the responding officer.
The available evidence does not indicate that Zach has been accused of causing Panettiere’s death.
What Happens Next in the Hayden Panettiere Investigation?
The next major development is likely to come from the coroner’s investigation and toxicology testing.
According to reports, toxicology results could take several weeks, although the timing may vary. The results could help investigators determine whether medication, alcohol, other substances or an underlying medical condition contributed to Panettiere’s death.
Until those findings are released, speculation surrounding the actress’s death should be treated cautiously.
For now, authorities have confirmed that Panettiere died at 36, that Brian and Zach Hickerson were present at the residence, that emergency crews attempted to revive her, and that the initial autopsy showed no trauma. The official cause of death remains undetermined.
Panettiere’s death has left fans and colleagues mourning a performer who became a household name through Heroes and Nashville. As investigators continue examining the circumstances, the focus remains on establishing the facts surrounding her final hours rather than drawing conclusions before the official investigation is complete.
FAQ: Zach Hickerson and Hayden Panettiere Death Investigation
Who is Zach Hickerson?
Zach Hickerson is the brother of Brian Hickerson, Hayden Panettiere’s former and on-and-off boyfriend. According to a Greenville police report, Zach was at the South Carolina apartment when Panettiere was found unresponsive.
Was Zach Hickerson at Hayden Panettiere’s apartment when she died?
Yes. The police report states that Zach Hickerson and his brother Brian were at the Greenville, South Carolina, residence when officers arrived after Panettiere was found unresponsive.
What did Zach Hickerson tell police?
According to the police report, the responding officer initially spoke with Zach. He identified the unresponsive woman as his brother’s girlfriend. The report also states that the officer observed Zach becoming emotional while emergency medical workers attempted to revive Panettiere.
Was Brian Hickerson at Hayden Panettiere’s apartment when she died?
Yes. Police records released Tuesday say Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach were present at the apartment when officers and paramedics arrived. Brian was also interviewed by police, although parts of that conversation remain redacted.
What happened to Hayden Panettiere?
Hayden Panettiere was found unresponsive at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday. Emergency workers attempted lifesaving measures, but she was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m., according to police records.
What was Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death?
Her cause of death has not been determined. Authorities said the death remains under investigation. An autopsy found no signs of trauma, while police said there were no apparent signs of foul play.
Was foul play suspected in Hayden Panettiere’s death?
Police have said they saw no signs of foul play, and the autopsy reportedly found no trauma. However, the investigation remains open because the cause of death has not yet been established.
Was Brian Hickerson suspected of causing Hayden Panettiere’s death?
The available police information does not establish that Brian Hickerson caused Panettiere’s death. He was present at the apartment and spoke with police, but authorities have not publicly identified him as responsible for her death. The cause remains under investigation.
What was the relationship between Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson?
Panettiere and Hickerson had an on-and-off and tumultuous relationship. Hickerson was previously charged with multiple felony abuse counts in 2020 and later pleaded no contest to two counts involving injury to a spouse or partner. He served time in jail and was sentenced to probation and other requirements.
Was Brian Hickerson recently involved in a court case?
Yes. Hickerson had recently asked a Los Angeles judge to reduce his previous convictions to misdemeanors. The request was denied shortly before Panettiere’s death, according to the police report coverage.
Did Hayden Panettiere write about Brian Hickerson?
Yes. Panettiere discussed her relationship with Hickerson and his time behind bars in her memoir, This Is Me, published in May 2026. She wrote about hoping that his incarceration would lead him to acknowledge his actions and change.
How old was Hayden Panettiere when she died?
Hayden Panettiere was 36 years old. She would have turned 37 on August 21, 2026.
Where did Hayden Panettiere die?
Panettiere died at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, according to police and the Associated Press. She was found unresponsive shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday.
What did the autopsy reveal?
The autopsy reportedly found no signs of trauma. Authorities have not yet announced a definitive cause of death, so further investigation or testing may be required before an official determination is made.
What happened when police arrived at the apartment?
A Greenville police officer arriving at the residence was met by Brian and Zach Hickerson and saw emergency medical personnel performing CPR on Panettiere. After lifesaving efforts failed, she was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m.
Why are parts of the Hayden Panettiere police report redacted?
The released police report is heavily redacted, including portions of the officer’s conversation with Brian Hickerson and a list of medications Panettiere had been taking. The available report does not provide enough information to establish a cause of death.
What is known about Hayden Panettiere’s final hours?
What is publicly known is limited. Police say Panettiere was found unresponsive at the Greenville apartment, with Brian and Zach Hickerson present. Emergency responders attempted CPR before she was pronounced dead. Authorities have not publicly established what caused her death.
Is the investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death still ongoing?
Yes. The death remains under investigation, and authorities have not announced a final cause of death. The absence of trauma and reported lack of foul-play indicators are important findings, but they do not by themselves establish the medical cause of death.