Why were Hayden Panettiere’s friends worried after she reconnected with ex Brian Hickerson before her sudden death?

Hayden Panettiere’s final months have come under renewed scrutiny after a source told Us Weekly that friends and people close to the actress were concerned about her decision to spend time again with Brian Hickerson, her former boyfriend whose relationship with Panettiere had previously involved allegations of domestic violence. Panettiere died at the age of 36 on August 16, 2026, after being found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina.

According to the source quoted by Us Weekly, Panettiere had appeared to be doing well in the period before her death, but people around her remained concerned after she reconnected with Hickerson. The source said friends were particularly uneasy because the relationship had previously been associated with a difficult period in Panettiere’s life. The comments are attributed to an insider and have not been independently confirmed by Panettiere’s representatives or Hickerson.

Panettiere and Hickerson were first linked romantically in 2018. Their relationship later became the subject of domestic violence cases. Hickerson was arrested in 2019 following an alleged incident involving Panettiere, although the charges were eventually dropped. He was arrested again in 2020 after another domestic violence incident involving the actress and subsequently served 33 days in jail. Following his release in 2021, he received a four year probation sentence and was ordered to pay a $500 fine, according to Us Weekly.

Panettiere later spoke publicly about the abuse she said she experienced during the relationship. In her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, released in May 2026, she detailed painful experiences from her past and discussed addiction, recovery and the pressures she faced during her years in the public eye. She also told that sharing those experiences was important because she wanted people who had experienced abuse to know they were not alone.

Despite her struggles, the source described Panettiere as optimistic about her future and said she remained supportive towards friends. The insider also said the actress experienced a sense of relief after publishing her memoir and wanted to use her platform to help others.

Hickerson also spoke about Panettiere publicly around the time of the memoir’s release. In May, he reportedly said he could imagine marrying her one day while acknowledging that they might not be good together. Panettiere subsequently rejected the idea, telling, "I don’t think that’s going to happen."

The circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death remain under investigation. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said emergency services received a cardiac arrest call at approximately 1:51pm on August 16 and that Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:32pm after resuscitation efforts failed. An autopsy found no signs of trauma, while authorities have said there were no indications of foul play. The official cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending further investigation and testing.

Panettiere was known for roles in Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise, having begun her acting career as a child. Her death has prompted tributes from former co stars, friends and fellow performers, while renewed attention has focused on the personal struggles she openly discussed during the final years of her life.