Hayden Panettiere‘s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, had an alleged abusive past before the late actress that has resurfaced!
The late actress’ on-and-off boyfriend was already battling a domestic violence allegation from his last romantic partner years before his abusive episode with the media personality, which landed him behind bars.
Brian Hickerson and Hayden Panettiere had kept their relationship very lowkey before her death, with her mother insisting that he played a role more significant than just discovering her unconscious.
Newly discovered sets of court documents connect Hickerson to a domestic violence case where he allegedly attacked his ex-girlfriend in 2017. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office had seemingly made a move to bring up the ex’s account in Hickerson’s 2019 case involving Panettiere.
Officials at the DA’s office argued that referring to the previous case could help establish to the public that Hickerson had an alleged history of domestic violence in his relationships. Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department had reportedly responded to a possible battery call on August 13, 2017.
Hickerson’s then-girlfriend, whose identity remains undisclosed, had told officers at the time that an argument erupted in their home five months into their romance.
Following the heated exchange, the victim claimed she retired into the bathroom with her cell phone to cool off with a bath. However, Hickerson, still enraged, confronted her over suspicions that she was sharing intimate pictures with other men.
As shared by US Weekly, Hickerson smashed the phone during the argument, but the actor denied knowing a phone was damaged. Ultimately, his former girlfriend declined to press charges, and no case was filed.
Brian Hickerson’s Mission To Reduce Felonies Was Denied Days Before Her Death
5The late actress’ woes with Hickerson began when the police were called to Panettiere’s home on May 2, 2019, after neighbors reportedly heard a woman screaming.
Officers claimed at the time that over 10 bruises were discovered on Panettiere’s body, and she explained that they were obtained from an altercation with Hickerson during an earlier trip to Puerto Rico.
Upon learning about the Puerto Rico episode, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office moved to use the new allegation and the 2017 claim from Hickerson’s ex as evidence that he may have a pattern of violence against women and evading responsibility.
Hickerson was subsequently charged with felony domestic violence, to which he pleaded not guilty, and was barred from contacting Panettiere; however, the case was dismissed without prejudice due to the inability to secure an essential witness.
Hickerson was arrested again in February 2020 after allegedly hitting Panettiere in Wyoming, facing misdemeanor domestic battery and interference charges, which he denied.
In July 2020, he was arrested on multiple felony charges involving Panettiere and later pleaded no contest to two counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend, with six other charges dismissed.
He received 45 days in jail, four years’ probation, 52 domestic violence classes, $500 restitution, and a five-year protective order. His later attempt to reduce the felony convictions was denied just three days before Panettiere’s death.
Hayden Panettiere Took Security Precaution Against Brian Hickerson, Months Before Her Death
5As Panettiere embarked on promoting her memoir: “This Is Me: A Reckoning” in May, she reportedly took important security precautions to prevent Hickerson from crashing her events at Barnes & Noble and the Union Square bookshop.
As stated by The Blast, while there was no indication that Hickerson would attend the event, her concern for her security may be stemming from the abuse she endured from him in the past.
However, her efforts to keep Hickerson away did not reflect in her last hours on earth because he, alongside his brother Zach, was present at the Greenville residence she died at.
The brothers were reportedly there when emergency services tried to revive her, and Hickerson had reportedly shown the police a bag containing Panettiere’s medication. Hickerson has not been accused of causing or contributing to Panettiere’s death, but he was pretty emotional after the actress was declared dead.
The ‘Bring It On’ Actress’s Boyfriend Explored Domestic Violence Intervention In 2020
5Following the second and third wave of domestic violence allegations against Hickerson in 2020, he reportedly voluntarily completed a domestic violence prevention evaluation at Wyoming’s Curran Seeley Foundation.
As reported by The Blast, Hickerson had promised to follow any recommendation that meant the police would drop any arrest warrant against her.
While Panettiere cooperated with authorities during investigations into the domestic violence allegations, Hickerson allegedly sent threatening messages to her. In one of the conversations, he described their current dynamics as that of two people going into a war.
In another set of conversations, Hickerson allegedly warned the actress that damaging information stored overseas would be released if he went to prison. He claimed that material that could hurt and damage Panettiere’s career while simultaneously clearing his own name existed with his people overseas.
Panettiere had extensively discussed her very abusive relationship with Hickerson in the memoir and how it was not easy for her to exit the arrangement.
Hayden Panettiere’s Mother Questioned The Hickersons’ Account Of Events About Her Passing
5The actress’ mother, Lesley Vogel, broke her silence on her daughter’s death, reiterating that they had fruitlessly tried to separate the duo as their relationship became more co-dependent than outsiders knew. Despite the lengthy restraining order that trailed the domestic violence allegations, Panettiere and Hickerson remained on and off.
Hickerson’s brother, Zach, had given an eyewitness account of when the actress passed. He explained that he went to the apartment where the actress and Hickerson were staying after he was unable to reach them via cell, and that was when they discovered her unconscious.
Zach said he immediately called 911 while Hickerson administered Narcan, adding that they performed CPR until emergency responders arrived and took over, while urging the public to avoid speculation while authorities investigate.
Vogel, however, questioned how Hickerson could have been sleeping nearby without realizing Panettiere was in distress. She also shared her personal suspicion that Hickerson knew Panettiere had died before contacting Zach and alleged that the brothers later constructed their account of events.
What will be revealed next about Brian Hickerson?