ABC News: Top Stories
· collected 2026-08-21 · by Angeline Jane Bernabe
Hayden Panettiere's boyfriend Brian Hickerson's attorney released a statement saying there were no signs of foul play in her death and that they won't comment further out of respect for her loved ones. The police report obtained by ABC News revealed that Hickerson was with Panettiere at the time of her death, and his brother Zach was also present. A California judge denied Hickerson's request to reduce his prior domestic violence felony convictions just days before Panettiere's death on August 16. The investigation into Panettiere's death is ongoing, with the DEA joining the case to assist the Greenville City Police Department.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
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No political leaning scored for article 1702 · logged 2026-08-31
Brian Hickerson's attorney is speaking out on his behalf following Hayden Panettiere's death.
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attorney → speak → death
Hickerson, Panettiere's on-again, off-again boyfriend, was with the late actress at the time of her death, according to a police report obtained by ABC News earlier this week.
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Hickerson → accord → News
Hickerson's attorney shared a statement with ABC News on Thursday, writing, "Hayden's death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed.
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investigation → share → investigation
As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play.
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police → report → play
"
"Out of respect for Hayden's loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time," the statement added.
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statement → love → time
Panettiere, known for her roles in "Ice Princess," "Nashville," "Heroes" and more, died on Aug. 16.
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Panettiere → know → Aug.
Hickerson and Panettiere started dating in the late summer of 2018, after Panettiere and then-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko had split.
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Panettiere → start → 2018
Panettiere and Klitschko share a daughter, Kaya.
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Panettiere → share → daughter
In previous reporting from ABC News, Panettiere had spoken out about Hickerson's alleged domestic abuse.
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Panettiere → speak → abuse
Panettiere told "Good Morning America" in a statement in 2020: "I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve.
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they → tell → help
I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again."
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man → do → anyone
She added, "I’m grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life.”
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me → add → voice
Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend in April 2021.
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Hickerson → plead → April
In court docs obtained by ABC News on Tuesday, a California judge denied Brian Hickerson's request to reduce his prior domestic violence felony convictions.
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judge → obtain → convictions
Hickerson petitioned the court to reduce his felony domestic violence convictions to misdemeanors and to expunge the case from his record.
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Hickerson → petition → record
The request was denied on Aug. 13, 2026.
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request → deny → Aug.
In the police report obtained by ABC News earlier this week, Hickerson's brother, Zach Hickerson, was also present when Panettiere died.
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Panettiere → obtain → News
"I observed Zach to be very emotional while EMS were working on Hayden," the officer wrote in the police report.
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officer → observe → report
"Brian did not become emotional until EMS declared her officially deceased.
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her → become → ?
Medic 24 and S4 were on scene performing life saving measures."
The officer added in the report that Brian Hickerson showed them the bag of medication that Panettiere was taking.
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Panettiere → perform → that
On Wednesday, the Drug Enforcement Administration joined the investigation into her death, according to sources familiar with the matter.
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Administration → join → matter
The Greenville City Police Department in South Carolina is the lead investigative agency, and the DEA is assisting.
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DEA → assist → Carolina
A representative for Panettiere issued a brief statement on Thursday following the DEA's involvement, writing, "There's nothing to be shared at this time as the investigation is ongoing but we are hopeful that justice will be served."
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justice → issue → time
