Updated

Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Aug 22

Judge Denies Brian Hickerson's 2nd Bid to Clear Felony Convictions as Prosecutors Challenge Sobriety

Updated

Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Aug 22

Judge Denies Brian Hickerson's 2nd Bid to Clear Felony Convictions as Prosecutors Challenge Sobriety

Q: Why was the DEA called in, and what role did the convicted abuser play at the scene of the tragic death?

The DEA appears to have been brought in because investigators were examining whether drugs or medications may have played a role in Hayden Panettiere’s death. Authorities have not announced an overdose or any criminal finding, but dispatch audio reportedly referenced a possible overdose, toxicology testing is pending, and police records say Brian Hickerson showed officers a bag of Panettiere’s medications. Multiple outlets reported the DEA joined Greenville police and the coroner as an assisting agency, not as the lead investigator. Hickerson, Panettiere’s former boyfriend who had previously been convicted in the domestic-violence case involving her, was at the apartment with his brother Zach when she was found unresponsive. According to reporting on the police response, Hickerson and his brother were involved in the 911 emergency call that brought first responders to the residence. Zach Hickerson said he called 911, while Brian Hickerson administered Narcan and helped perform CPR until EMS arrived. At the scene, Brian Hickerson also reportedly showed responding officers Panettiere’s medications. Police have said there were no signs of trauma or foul play during the initial investigation, and no link has been established between Hickerson’s criminal case and Panettiere’s death. The cause and manner of death remain under investigation.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Aug 22

An Aug. 13 Los Angeles hearing ended with Judge Olivia Rosales rejecting Brian Hickerson's second petition to dismiss two 2021 felony domestic-violence convictions involving Hayden Panettiere.
Prosecutors argued Hickerson's claim of sobriety was undermined by a May TMZ interview in which they said he appeared under the influence, plus two 2025 law-enforcement encounters.
One 2025 case was declined for insufficient evidence, while a second led to a misdemeanor drug charge that was later dismissed after judicial diversion; Rosales still ruled he had not remained free of new offenses.
Hickerson had filed the new petition on July 20, 2026, after a first bid was denied in July 2025, and neither he nor his attorney appeared at the hearing.
Panettiere died three days later at age 36 in South Carolina; authorities report no signs of trauma or foul play and have not linked her death to the court allegations.