Videos showing Brian Hickerson appearing to slur his words have resurfaced as authorities continue investigating the death of his girlfriend, Hayden Panettiere. Hickerson originally posted the unusual clips to his Instagram Story in May and June, months before Panettiere was found unresponsive at a Greenville, South Carolina, rental. The footage does not establish that Hickerson was intoxicated or connect him to Panettiere’s death. Her official cause and manner of death remain undetermined as authorities await additional testing.
In one video obtained by TMZ, Hickerson imitated an unidentified woman who allegedly told him that he sounded drunk. He then filmed himself preparing to post a song on social media while apparently discussing and disregarding potential copyright concerns.
Another video showed Hickerson driving through a fast-food restaurant and questioning an employee about the customer ahead of him. Hickerson reportedly asked whether the woman was attractive and attempted to obtain information about her order.
During the clip, he also claimed that he had flirted with an employee at the restaurant before learning that she was 17 years old. He said he continued driving after discovering her age. Although his speech appeared slurred in portions of the videos, there has been no official determination about whether he was under the influence when he recorded them.
Hickerson Was At The Rental When Panettiere Died
Hickerson was inside the Greenville rental on August 16 when Panettiere was found unresponsive. His brother, Zach Hickerson, said he became concerned after he could not reach either of them following church that morning.
“When I left church, I called and texted both of them. When I didn’t reach Brian or Hayden, I just assumed maybe they fell back asleep, so I drove over and went to the Airbnb. When I got there, I knew the code to the building but not the door code to the Airbnb,” Zach told TMZ.
Zach reportedly knocked loudly enough to wake Brian, who had been sleeping on a pull-out couch bed. The brothers then checked on Panettiere and discovered that she was unconscious.
Hickerson Reportedly Administered Narcan
Zach said he “immediately called 911 and Brian gave her Narcan.” Narcan is a brand of naloxone used to reverse a suspected opioid overdose. However, its presence or administration does not prove that Panettiere used opioids or that an overdose caused her death. Zach said he and Brian “performed CPR while 911 was on speaker until Fire and EMS arrived.”
According to an official release from the City of Greenville, first responders were dispatched to the residence shortly before 2 p.m. following a report of an unresponsive woman. Emergency personnel attempted to provide medical assistance, but Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene. She was 36.
Hickerson’s Attorney Urges Public To Await Investigation
Hickerson later addressed Panettiere’s death through his attorney, Sloan Ellis of the Ellis Hinton law firm. “Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” the statement read. “As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”
Ellis previously worked as a federal prosecutor and has experience working with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI. Her history with those agencies does not indicate anything about the findings in Panettiere’s case.
DEA Assists With Investigation Into Actress’ Death
The DEA has joined the investigation, which is being led by the Greenville Police Department with assistance from the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. According to ABC News, the DEA is assisting rather than serving as the lead agency.
A police report noted that it remained unknown whether Panettiere had used drugs or alcohol before her death. Hickerson reportedly showed officers a bag containing medications she had been taking.
Dispatch audio also included emergency personnel discussing a possible overdose, but that description was preliminary and does not represent a medical finding.
The DEA’s participation similarly does not confirm that narcotics contributed to Panettiere’s death or that criminal conduct occurred.
Autopsy Found No Signs Of Trauma
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office completed an autopsy after Panettiere’s death. Coroner Mike Ellis said there were no visible injuries or signs of trauma that contributed to her passing. Preliminary findings also showed no indication of foul play or suspicious circumstances. Her official cause and manner of death remain pending toxicology results and additional studies.
Those findings will be necessary to determine whether medication, alcohol, illegal substances, a medical emergency or another factor contributed to her death. The resurfaced videos may raise questions about Hickerson’s condition months earlier, but they do not answer what happened to Panettiere.
Until investigators and the coroner complete their work, any connection between the clips, the Narcan and Panettiere’s death would remain speculation.
