American actress Hayden Panettiere was found unconscious in a rented apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, where her boyfriend Brian Hickerson administered Narcan on the day of her death. Brian Hickerson's brother, Zach Hickerson, disclosed the details to media outlet TMZ after being present shortly before emergency services arrived.
Zach Hickerson explained that after discovering Panettiere unconscious, he immediately dialed emergency services while Brian Hickerson administered Narcan, an emergency medication used for opioid overdoses. Both brothers performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation together until paramedics arrived and took over medical efforts. First responders carried out all possible measures upon arrival to revive the actress.
Panettiere was a prominent American actress known for her starring roles in television series such as Heroes and Nashville. Narcan, a nasal spray form of naloxone, is an emergency overdose reversal drug designed to rapidly block the life threatening effects of opioids on the nervous system.
Events leading to the discovery
According to Zach Hickerson, Panettiere and Brian Hickerson had arrived in South Carolina the day before her death. The three had planned to attend a church service the following morning before going to lunch and playing golf together.
When Zach Hickerson received no reply to his phone calls and messages after the church service, he initially assumed the couple had gone back to sleep. He subsequently drove to their rented Greenville apartment and knocked loudly on the door, waking his brother before they found the actress unresponsive.
Call for patience and personal tribute
Zach Hickerson urged the public to avoid making premature conclusions regarding the circumstances surrounding Panettiere's death. He noted that widespread speculation had surfaced, emphasizing that official law enforcement agencies must determine the final facts.
Reflecting on their relationship, Zach Hickerson stated that he was struggling deeply with the loss. He shared that he and Panettiere had maintained a very close bond for eight years, describing her as one of the most cherished people in his life.
