Hayden Panettiere‘s former boyfriend has suffered another legal setback tied to his domestic violence case.
Brian Hickerson asked a judge to reduce his felony charges and erase his convictions. The request was denied days before the actress died, and new reports seem to suggest Panettiere and Hickerson were back together before her passing.
Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, had faced an eight-count criminal case and was sentenced to 45 days in jail in 2021. He served 33 days alongside probation, domestic violence classes, and a restraining order.
Hickerson appeared in court on August 13, just 3 days before the death of the “Nashville” star. The judge rejected Hickerson’s request to reduce his past felony domestic violence charges to misdemeanors. He also asked for the convictions to be expunged.
Judge Olivia Rosales ultimately denied the motions, leaving Hickerson’s felony convictions in place. The late actress and Hickerson had a history of domestic violence incidents that led to the criminal case against him.
The South Carolina actor had originally faced an eight-count criminal case. He later pleaded no contest in April 2021 to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend following incidents involving Panettiere between May 2019 and January 2020. Hickerson was sentenced to 45 days in jail, four years of probation, domestic violence classes, and a five-year restraining order, per TMZ.
The Former Couple Reportedly Rekindled Their Love Quietly
5Panettiere and Hickerson found their way back to each other. Their relationship had not been announced publicly, but sources later claimed they were together again before her death. The actor once said he still thought about getting married to Panettiere.
The late actress was seen at LAX, where she laughed about the thought of getting married to her ex-BF. The couple reportedly kept their renewed relationship private. One source claimed their reported breakup was deliberately made public to protect Panettiere’s career.
The couple’s relationship was said to have ended due to a domestic abuse incident. Hickerson reportedly traveled with Panettiere to South Carolina the day before she died. The Blast reported that a source close to Hickerson confirmed the two were romantically involved again.
Hayden Panettiere Suffered Domestic Violence With Her On & Off BF
5Hickerson’s relationship with Panettiere became publicly troubled after he was arrested for injuring her in 2019. Those charges were later dropped. He was arrested again in 2020 following another assault case involving the actress.
Panettiere eventually spoke openly about what she had experienced. She said she wanted to tell the truth in hopes that her story could help other people in abusive relationships seek support. She said in her words, “I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me.”
Hickerson later pleaded no contest to two felony counts and received a sentence that included jail time, probation, and domestic violence classes. Even after their separation, Panettiere acknowledged that her feelings for the actor had not stopped. In 2023, she had an interview where she admitted her feelings and also called the actor “babe.”
Personal Struggles Reportedly Marked Her Final Years
5Panettiere’s relationship with Hickerson was just one of the chapters in her life. The actress had entered Hollywood as a child and spent much of her life in the public eye. She began modeling at just five months old and appeared in her first commercial before turning one.
The actress’ career also included roles in “Heroes,” “Nashville,” “Remember the Titans,” and “Ice Princess.” The pressures of growing up in entertainment eventually took a toll. Panettiere revealed that she lost the chance to experience a normal childhood. Her memoir also talked about her addiction, motherhood, and the emotional struggles she faced throughout adulthood.
The “Heroes” star’s personal life also included the death of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, in 2023. The loss deeply affected her, adding another painful chapter to a life that significant challenges had already marked. The Blast traced her journey from child star to the final years of her life.
What Hayden Panettiere Shared With Her Friend Before Death
5Panettiere’s friends shared emotional memories of the late actress, especially one with her final text. Musician Clayton Johnson, Panettiere’s friend, penned an emotional tribute. Johnson shared the final exchange he had with the late actress.
The musician revealed that Panettiere was about world peace. She wrote, “Honestly, people think it’s a joke to ask for world peace, but that would be me.” He noted in his post, “That was you in a nutshell.” The Blast reported the exchange as part of Johnson’s emotional tribute to the late actress.
Panettiere died at 36 on August 16, leaving friends, family and fans in mourning. Johnson also shared a video of himself with Panettiere singing together. Meanwhile, Hickerson’s legal request to reduce his charges was denied days before the death of the actress.
Will Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off BF make another legal move to reduce his felony charges?