Hayden Panettiere flew from Los Angeles to South Carolina with her on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson, just a day before she tragically died, according to reports.
The actress passed away aged 36 on Sunday. An investigation into her cause of death is ongoing, but police say a preliminary investigation has ‘not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances’.
Hayden is said to have travelled to South Carolina on Saturday with her on-off real-estate agent boyfriend Brian, where he is from. She was due to celebrate her 37th birthday this coming Friday.
Greenville police stated an ‘acquaintance’ called emergency services on Sunday afternoon, and they later headed to the scene where they attempted to help Hayden but were unable to save her.
A statement from the Greenville Police Department read: ‘[Officers] accompanied by EMS personnel, responded to a report of an unresponsive female’ at around 1.50pm Sunday.
Hayden Panettiere flew from Los Angeles to South Carolina with her on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson, just a day before she tragically died, according to reports (pictured 2018)
‘Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
‘The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.’
TMZ also reported the actress had complained of back pain in the past year.
Hayden’s representative confirmed officials are looking into what happened and more details will be revealed in due course.
They told NBC News: ‘There’s an investigation ongoing. We should know more tomorrow.’
A statement from her father Skip read: ‘It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden.
‘She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.’
Her father also asked that her family be given privacy as they ‘take time to process this unimaginable loss’.
The actress passed away aged 36 on Sunday. An investigation into her cause of death is ongoing, but police say a preliminary investigation has ‘not indicated any signs of foul play’
Hayden and Brian had an on-again, off-again relationship from 2018 to 2022 that was plagued by domestic violence incidents and arrests.
He was sentenced to 45 days in county jail after pleading no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend back in April 2021.
Back in May, Brian revealed he ‘still dreamt’ of marrying the actress – despite admitting to abusing her.
When asked by TMZ if he ever thought about marrying the actress, he responded: ‘Yeah, of course… I hope so – she probably doesn’t think the same way.’
However, he acknowledged it was not healthy for the pair to resume a romantic relationship, as he added: ‘I think that Hayden is one of the most talented people I’ve ever met in my life, and I would be an idiot not to walk away from her and let her flourish in her career.
‘So, we probably wouldn’t be good together.’
Brian said the pair’s relationship had now evolved into friendship after they were seen at the airport together in March, but said: ‘I miss Hayden every day.’
The actress later offered her response to his comments about marriage while talking to TMZ as she arrived to LAX airport back in May.
When asked to offer her reaction, she said, ‘I don’t think that’s going to happen’.
Speaking about the relationship and her memoir, the actress told Us Weekly, ‘It’s a very embarrassing subject. I’ve always seen myself as such a resilient and strong woman.’
‘The idea that I could allow something like this to happen to me blew my mind. It blew the minds of the people that knew me best.’
Hayden This Is Me: A Reckoning memoir also detailed her battles with addiction and postpartum depression.
