Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present at the South Carolina apartment where the actress passed away, according to a police report disclosed on Tuesday. A police officer arrived at the residence on Sunday afternoon and found the brothers at the scene with paramedics attempting to revive an unresponsive woman. Despite efforts to save her, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m. The cause of death is still unknown, and investigations are ongoing, although no signs of foul play or trauma were evident. Panettiere, aged 36, had a tumultuous relationship with Hickerson, who faced accusations of physical abuse. In 2020, Hickerson faced charges of felony abuse, to which he pleaded no contest for injuring a spouse or partner. Following a brief jail term, he was placed on probation for four years and mandated to attend anger management and Alcoholics Anonymous sessions. Recently, Hickerson’s request to downgrade his conviction to misdemeanors was denied by a Los Angeles judge.

The police report, heavily redacted, highlighted that Zach Hickerson identified the unresponsive woman as his brother’s girlfriend. The officer noted Zach’s emotional state while paramedics tended to Panettiere, and Brian’s emotional reaction upon her declaration of death. Following her passing, the officer escorted the brothers out of the apartment. Details of the conversation with Brian were redacted, as well as a list of medications Panettiere had been taking. Panettiere’s ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, who is also the father of their daughter Kaya, expressed sorrow over her sudden demise. Klitschko emphasized Panettiere’s significance in his life and as a parent to their child.

The late actress, who would have turned 37 soon, had recently released a memoir detailing her struggles with early fame, addiction, and postpartum depression. In a podcast interview earlier this year, Panettiere clarified misconceptions about her custody agreement for her daughter, mentioning her commitment to the child’s well-being. Tributes from friends and colleagues poured in for the beloved actor, with co-stars recalling her talent and spirit. Panettiere’s impact was felt across her roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” following her initial success as a child actor in films like “Remember the Titans.”