Mother claims boyfriend pawned belongings

Hayden Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, has said that Brian Hickerson, the actress’s boyfriend, pawned several of her belongings before Panettiere’s death, according to Page Six, as reported by M Live Michigan and the Staten Island Advance.

Vogel told the New York Times she discovered Hickerson had pawned items including a vintage guitar. She also said her daughter was shocked to learn Hickerson had additional possessions stored in his storage unit. Hickerson filed for bankruptcy in 2022, according to reports.

Death and investigation

Panettiere died on August 16 after being found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. Authorities have said there were no signs of trauma or foul play, and her official cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending toxicology results.

Brian Hickerson’s attorney, Sloan Ellis, said police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Ellis said: “Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”

Zach Hickerson, Brian’s brother, said Brian performed CPR and administered Narcan after finding Panettiere unconscious. Police confirmed Narcan, a medicine used to reverse opioid overdoses, was found at the scene.

“There are a lot of assumptions, speculations and accusations currently swirling,” Zach Hickerson said.

Tumultuous relationship and prior incidents

The relationship between Panettiere and Hickerson was tumultuous since they met in 2018, according to Page Six, as reported by M Live Michigan and the Staten Island Advance. Hickerson was arrested multiple times for domestic violence against Panettiere, who detailed the abuse in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.”

Mia Terrazas, a former neighbor at Panettiere’s West Hollywood apartment complex, told Page Six she saw the actress taken from her home on a gurney twice between July 2023 and January 2024. Terrazas said Panettiere often appeared with visible bruises.

“It appeared that she had been beaten up. It wasn’t apparent to me that it could have been anything else,” Terrazas said.

Vogel, who was estranged from her daughter at the time of her death, said she visited Panettiere in Los Angeles last year and found her struggling with significant physical pain.

Family and co-star tributes

Panettiere’s father, Skip Panettiere, announced her death in a family statement, saying: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden.” He added: “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. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”

Charles Esten, who starred opposite Panettiere as Deacon Claybourne in “Nashville,” paid tribute to his former co-star at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, dedicating his song “Somewhere in the Sunshine” to her. Esten recalled meeting Panettiere during his audition for the series and described her as a “bright, shining light.”

Panettiere’s career included roles in “Remember the Titans,” “Heroes,” and “Nashville,” the latter earning her two Golden Globe nominations. Her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” was published in May and became a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.