New details have emerged about the circumstances surrounding Hayden Panettiere’s death, including information from police documents concerning medications found at the property and the behavior of her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, during the emergency response.

According to police records, Panettiere had a “bag of medication” containing drugs she was reportedly taking around the time of her death. Hickerson allegedly showed the medication to officers after emergency personnel had already begun attempting to save the actress’s life.

Panettiere, who was 36, was found unresponsive at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday afternoon. Police arrived at approximately 1:50 p.m. and reportedly encountered firefighters and emergency medical workers performing CPR on her.

The responding officer documented that Panettiere did not appear to have an obvious physical explanation for her condition at the scene. Emergency personnel continued their efforts to revive her, but she was ultimately pronounced dead at approximately 2:32 p.m.

Police documents reportedly indicate that Hickerson’s brother, Zach, was visibly emotional while paramedics were working to save Panettiere. Brian, however, was reportedly less visibly distressed during the initial emergency response and became emotional only after Panettiere had been officially pronounced dead.

The contrasting reactions were noted in the police report, although the document does not establish what either man was thinking or feeling at the time. Emotional responses to traumatic situations can vary significantly from person to person, and the police observations alone do not establish wrongdoing.

Hickerson reportedly told officers that Panettiere had been taking several medications. The precise list was partially redacted in the police report, but the available information reportedly suggests that approximately nine different medications may have been involved.

Narcan, an emergency medication commonly used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, was also reportedly discovered inside the Airbnb. However, the presence of Narcan does not by itself establish that Panettiere died from an opioid overdose. Authorities have indicated that a complete toxicology examination is necessary before determining whether drugs or medications contributed to her death.

An autopsy was conducted the following Monday. South Carolina authorities reportedly warned that final toxicology results could take several weeks, potentially as long as 12 weeks, to complete. Until those results are available, the precise cause and manner of Panettiere’s death remain subject to official determination.

The circumstances have attracted additional attention because Panettiere and Hickerson had reportedly reconnected only about two weeks before her death. Their relationship had been highly publicized and troubled for years, with a history of allegations involving domestic violence and several legal proceedings.

According to reports, the pair had recently spent approximately a week together in Los Angeles before traveling to South Carolina. Hickerson is originally from the state, and what was reportedly expected to be a short period together apparently resulted in the two traveling there.

People close to Panettiere have reportedly offered differing accounts of the nature of their renewed relationship. One source claimed that the relationship did not appear to be romantic, while another suggested that Hickerson had a pattern of finding his way back into Panettiere’s life by presenting himself as a friend.

The situation was reportedly not widely known among Panettiere’s friends. A separate source claimed that many people in her inner circle were unaware that Hickerson had returned to her life.

That secrecy has prompted speculation about why Panettiere may not have discussed the renewed contact with people close to her. One source suggested that shame could have played a role, particularly because Panettiere had previously spoken publicly about the difficult experiences she endured in the relationship.

Panettiere had openly discussed her history with Hickerson and the challenges surrounding their relationship. In her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” she described experiences that she characterized as abusive and discussed the emotional difficulty of repeatedly leaving and then becoming involved with someone from whom she had tried to distance herself.

Hickerson’s legal history includes several domestic-violence-related cases involving Panettiere. He was initially arrested in Hollywood in 2019 and faced a felony domestic violence charge. Although he pleaded not guilty at the time, that case was later dismissed.

Panettiere subsequently described the incident as the beginning of what she characterized as a pattern of physical abuse.

Additional allegations followed. Prosecutors in Los Angeles later accused Hickerson of physically injuring Panettiere during incidents in late 2019 and early 2020. Authorities alleged that some of the incidents involved circumstances capable of causing serious injury.

In February 2020, Hickerson was arrested in Wyoming after an allegation that he had struck Panettiere. The case later included claims involving efforts to influence or intimidate a witness. Hickerson ultimately entered no-contest pleas in connection with the proceedings.

Panettiere later described the Wyoming incident as a turning point for her. Despite that, the relationship remained complicated, and the two continued to cross paths over the following years.

In July 2020, Los Angeles prosecutors filed a broader criminal case against Hickerson involving multiple charges, including allegations of corporal injury, assault with a deadly weapon, battery, and attempting to discourage a witness from cooperating.

Hickerson initially pleaded not guilty. In April 2021, however, he entered no-contest pleas to two felony counts involving injury to a spouse or cohabitant. Other charges were dismissed as part of the resolution.

He was subsequently sentenced to 45 days in jail, four years of probation, domestic-violence counseling, restitution, and a five-year protective order.

More recently, a judge reportedly rejected Hickerson’s requests to have the conviction expunged or reduced to misdemeanor offenses. The ruling occurred shortly before Panettiere’s death.

The pair had also been photographed together as recently as March 2026 at a Los Angeles airport. Panettiere was using crutches at the time and reportedly explained that she was dealing with a pinched nerve in her lower back.

The renewed connection between the two therefore came despite their complicated history. Panettiere had previously acknowledged that separating herself from abusive relationships had been extremely difficult.

During an appearance on the “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast, she discussed the recurring pattern in which people she had attempted to leave would eventually return to her life. She described the emotional conflict that accompanied those situations, particularly when the person involved later expressed remorse.

Panettiere had previously spoken publicly about her struggles with anxiety, alcohol dependence, opioid addiction, and postpartum depression. She also described how substance use could affect Hickerson’s behavior during their relationship.

According to Panettiere’s account, she believed that Hickerson could become violent while intoxicated but later appear remorseful once sober. She said his apologies sometimes seemed sincere, creating an emotional conflict that made it difficult for her to maintain distance.

She also acknowledged that she had been frightened of being alone and sometimes found the prospect of isolation more difficult than remaining in an unhealthy relationship. Her desire to help Hickerson change was another factor she said contributed to the cycle.

These revelations have added context to the circumstances surrounding the final period of Panettiere’s life, but they do not establish a connection between Hickerson’s past conduct and her death. Authorities have not publicly concluded that he caused or contributed to her death.

For now, investigators are awaiting the results of the full forensic examination. The medication reportedly found at the Airbnb may become relevant to the investigation, but toxicology testing will be necessary to determine whether any substances played a role.

The circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s final hours remain under investigation. Police observations, witness accounts, medical findings, and toxicology results will all be important in establishing what happened.

Until authorities release definitive findings, speculation about an overdose or the significance of Hickerson’s reaction should be treated cautiously. The available information provides important details about the scene and Panettiere’s recent circumstances, but it does not yet provide a complete explanation for her death.

Panettiere’s passing has also renewed attention to the struggles she discussed publicly throughout her life. As investigators work to establish the facts, her history of addiction, mental-health challenges, and an abusive relationship will likely remain part of the broader conversation surrounding her final days.

The eventual toxicology report should provide a clearer picture of whether medications, illicit substances, or other factors contributed to her death. Until then, the exact circumstances remain unresolved, and the investigation continues.