The sister of Brian Hickerson has offered insight into the relationship dynamics between her brother and actress Hayden Panettiere, who died on August 16 in Greenville, South Carolina, in what authorities suspect was an overdose.
Ashley Hickerson described her brother's personality as a compelling force in the relationship. "If I can say one thing about Brian, it's that he is the most charismatic person and he draws you in," Ashley Hickerson told the Daily Mail. She added that she understood the actress's attraction to Brian, characterizing him as fun and capable of making people laugh regardless of circumstances.
The relationship between Panettiere and Brian Hickerson began in 2018 and continued intermittently until the actress's death. However, the relationship was marked by serious legal troubles stemming from allegations of domestic violence.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Panettiere accused Brian Hickerson of punching her in 2020. The incident occurred after an argument escalated into physical violence at their Los Angeles apartment, prompting the actress to contact law enforcement.
Brian Hickerson was arrested and charged with felony domestic violence following that incident. He subsequently reached a global resolution covering both that case and another matter in Wyoming. The court sentenced him to 360 days in jail, with 358 days suspended, and he served 12 months of unsupervised probation.
Court records further reveal that Brian Hickerson sent threatening text messages to Panettiere after his 2020 arrest for domestic violence. His legal history also includes a 2010 arrest on charges of assault and battery by mob, though that incident did not involve Panettiere.
In her statements to the Daily Mail, Ashley Hickerson addressed her brother's past behavior and efforts at rehabilitation. "He did seek treatment and he was getting help. He did own up to his s–t," she told the publication. She attributed his violent behavior to substance abuse issues rather than his upbringing, stating, "We all have our demons. Brian was not raised that way. It wasn't until he got into drugs that he went south."
The actress's death in Greenville, South Carolina, remains under investigation by authorities who suspect an overdose as the cause.