Brian Hickerson’s sister says she understands what stored drawing Hayden Panettiere again to her brother throughout their years-long, on-and-off relationship.
Ashley Hickerson described Brian as “the most charismatic person” in feedback reported by Page Six from a Daily Mail interview. “I get why Hayden was with him,” she mentioned. “He could make you laugh no matter what.”
Ashley mentioned Brian started utilizing medication, and that was when his habits modified. She mentioned he later went to remedy and took accountability for what he had executed.
Panettiere mentioned the connection in May throughout an interview with Jay Shetty. She mentioned there have been occasions when she believed she had lastly gotten away from Brian.
“Abusers, they weave themselves like weeds into your life,” she mentioned.
Panettiere died Aug. 16 at age 36. Brian and his brother Zach Hickerson had been on the South Carolina condominium when first responders arrived, in accordance with a police report obtained by The Associated Press. An post-mortem discovered no trauma, authorities have mentioned there have been no indicators of foul play, and her reason behind demise stays undetermined.
Ashley Hickerson Says Brian Could “Make You Laugh No Matter What”
Ashley mentioned Brian had a persona that might pull individuals in rapidly.
Ashley mentioned the violence didn’t mirror the way in which she and her siblings had been raised. She mentioned Brian’s habits modified after he started utilizing medication and that he finally went to remedy.
Panettiere’s demise has additionally been tough for the Hickerson household, Ashley mentioned. Their father, David Hickerson, was grieving the loss.
Panettiere Said Abusers Find Ways to Keep a Connection
Panettiere’s clarification got here throughout her May dialog with Shetty whereas she was selling This Is Me: A Reckoning.
“Abusers, they weave themselves like weeds into your life,” she mentioned.
Panettiere mentioned there may nonetheless be an object, an obligation or some unfinished matter after a breakup that gave an abuser another excuse to make contact. She mentioned these issues may hold the connection going after she believed the connection was over.
Panettiere mentioned abusers discovered methods to “keep you on the hook.”
In April 2021, Brian pleaded no contest to 2 felony counts of injuring a partner or girlfriend in a case involving Panettiere. He was sentenced to 45 days in county jail, 4 years of probation, home violence lessons and a five-year protecting order, in accordance with the Los Angeles Times.
Three days earlier than Panettiere died, a Los Angeles choose denied Brian’s second try to clear these convictions. PEOPLE reported that prosecutors had opposed the petition by citing a later arrest and what they described as continued drug use. The 2025 case was finally dismissed after Brian accomplished a diversion program.
Lesley Vogel Says She Left After Panettiere Went Back to Brian
Panettiere’s mom, Lesley Vogel, mentioned she moved in together with her daughter a couple of 12 months earlier than her demise as a result of she needed to assist her go away Brian.
Vogel advised Good Morning America that she later went residence after Panettiere determined to renew the connection. The mother and daughter were no longer communicating when Panettiere died.
Vogel has blamed Brian for contributing to her daughter’s decline and has questioned the circumstances surrounding her demise.
Brian’s lawyer, Sloan Ellis, mentioned police had discovered no indicators of foul play and that Panettiere’s demise remained beneath investigation. Ellis mentioned there could be no additional remark whereas the investigation was open.
Panettiere’s Cause of Death Has Not Been Determined
Brian and Zach Hickerson had been with Panettiere when emergency staff arrived on the South Carolina condominium on Aug. 16. First responders tried CPR earlier than she was pronounced lifeless at 2:31 p.m., in accordance with the AP.
An post-mortem discovered no trauma that contributed to her demise. Authorities haven’t accused Brian or Zach of inflicting Panettiere’s demise, and no official trigger has been launched.
Anyone experiencing home violence can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, textual content START to 88788 or use the location’s reside chat.