In the months before her death at age 36, Hayden Panettiere took serious steps to protect herself from her on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson, including hiring private security to keep him away.
The “Heroes” actress was found unresponsive on August 16 but had reportedly reconnected with Hickerson earlier this year when he claimed he needed a place to stay.
A close source has now shared that what began as a temporary arrangement escalated when Brian Hickerson allegedly tried to stay indefinitely and was found to be surveilling Hayden Panettiere.
5The late actress, according to an insider, was forced to employ private security to remove Hickerson from her Los Angeles home after he re-entered her life earlier this year and refused to leave.
Speaking to UsWeekly, the source said, “But he would always take advantage of her and wouldn’t leave, so she hired private security to not only remove him, but to keep him away from her.”
Panettiere employed extensive security measures. She had her security remove him from her premises and set up a security guard to keep Hickerson away and protect her boundaries.
The situation reportedly escalated when Panettiere discovered that Hickerson had secretly put up cameras inside her apartment.
The news outlet previously reported that “he had inserted himself into her life and was surveilling her.” Another source claimed Hickerson “had apparently set up cameras in her place,” prompting Panettiere’s move to get him away from her and protect herself.
Brian Hickerson Allegedly Manipulated The Actress
5The relationship between Hickerson and Panettiere is believed to have been partly manipulative, as the ex-boyfriend is alleged to have guilt-tripped her into believing she was responsible for his legal issues.
“She helped him from time to time because he made her feel guilty, claiming he was trying to turn his life around, but couldn’t because she put him in jail,” a source shared with the magazine.
Hickerson reconnected with Panettiere months before her passing when he needed a place to stay. According to the source, “he had no money and nowhere to go because of the past criminal charges against him, and he blamed that on her.”
The source added that Panettiere let him stay temporarily, but he decided to remain there indefinitely.
Brian Hickerson And Hayden Panettiere’s Abusive Relationship
5The former couple began dating in 2018, and reports of domestic violence marred their relationship. Hickerson was first arrested for abusing Panettiere in 2019.
Page Six reports that he was taken into custody on charges of violence against Panettiere, in which he reportedly started a fight with her after the pair were drinking in Hollywood, and red marks were visible on her body.
He was arrested again in 2020 in Los Angeles on an “eight-count criminal indictment” stemming from a series of abuse incidents. He reportedly spent around 33 days in jail after being sentenced to 45 days behind bars.
Neighbor And HOA Weigh In On The Duo’s Relationship
5The circumstances surrounding the two were quite severe, extending beyond Panettiere’s personal security efforts.
As detailed in a Page Six report, the homeowners association for the actress’ building reportedly placed warning flyers against Hickerson.
According to the report, a warning poster with the ex-boyfriend’s photo was put up in August last year. ...er read, “If he is seen anywhere on this property, please call 911 immediately and report that he is trespassing on the premises.” The warning urged residents not to let him in.
Mia Terrazzas, Panettiere’s neighbor who lived one door away from her, told Inside Edition she was afraid of Hickerson.
She said “he never stopped living at her place” and reported disturbing incidents, saying, “There were times he ripped apart her bathroom, where he just took a sledgehammer at 5 in the morning.”
Terrazas is said to have called emergency services several times to report disturbances at Panettiere’s residence.
Brian Hickerson And Hayden Panettiere’s On-Again, Off-Again Dynamic
5Panettiere had previously spoken about how difficult it was to sever ties with abusive partners before her death.
During an appearance on the “On Purpose With Jay Shetty” podcast, she reflected on their relationship, noting that she had hope he would change as he seemed better when he wasn’t drunk.
“Once he was sober, that good part of him would be back, and he would see the damage he had done, and he was devastated and apologetic, and it seemed so honest and genuine that I was torn,” she told Jay Shetty.
The actress was insistent on making her relationship with Hickerson work and found it very difficult to end their relationship.