Hayden Panettiere's mother, Lesley Vogel, told The New York Times on Sunday that the late actress's on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, had pawned items that belonged to her before her death.
Vogel, who made a series of allegations about Hickerson in an earlier interview with The Daily Mail following Panettiere's death last week at age 36, said she was alarmed to learn details about the pawned items. She told the newspaper that a vintage guitar was among the belongings Hickerson sold. Panettiere had been described as shocked after learning that multiple things she owned had been kept in a storage unit belonging to Hickerson, according to Vogel. A separate unnamed source confirmed to the paper that Hickerson, who had previously filed for bankruptcy in 2022, had pawned multiple items Panettiere owned. The New York Times report did not indicate whether Panettiere had consented to the sale of her belongings. Vogel and attorneys for Hickerson have been contacted for further comment.
Vogel told The New York Times that Hickerson's involvement in Panettiere's "life and finances" was a catalyst for an estrangement between her and her daughter over the last year of Panettiere's life.
Health Struggles Before Her Death
Vogel said Panettiere "couldn't physically function properly" amid ongoing ailments, which led Vogel to take her for medical tests, acupuncture and massage in an attempt to remedy the situation. "She was in pain.. She was afraid," Vogel said.
Fitness trainer Marnie Alton, who worked with the actress two years ago, described Panettiere to the newspaper as "really smart" and driven to reclaim her physical health. "She kept fighting for her body because she felt like, 'If I can get my strength back, I can get myself back,'" Alton told the newspaper. Alton added that Hickerson had been present at times to record video and take pictures of Panettiere during their sessions as she tried to reclaim her health.
A History of Domestic Violence
Hickerson and Panettiere had been linked since 2018 and had a stormy relationship history, in which he was convicted of domestic abuse in connection with their relationship.
In April 2021, Hickerson entered pleas of no contest to two felony counts of domestic abuse as part of an agreement, after he was initially charged with eight counts of domestic violence, including assault with a deadly weapon, battery and corporal injury, in Los Angeles in July 2020.
The court sentenced him to 45 days in jail and four years of probation, and ordered him to complete domestic violence classes following the no-contest pleas. The other charges were subsequently dropped, and Panettiere was issued a five-year protective order, which expired earlier this year.
Panettiere's Death in South Carolina
Panettiere was declared deceased on August 16 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, in what officials said was a suspected drug overdose.
Her passing was announced Sunday by her father, Skip Panettiere, who said in a statement: "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. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss."
Authorities in Greenville said officials responded to an apartment in the area after receiving a report of an "unresponsive female" via a possible drug overdose, later determined to be Panettiere. Officials, who attempted lifesaving measures before declaring her deceased, said no signs of trauma or foul play were evident in their investigation, which remains ongoing.
Hickerson's Attorney Responds
On Thursday, Hickerson's lawyer, Sloan Ellis, said in a statement obtained by The Daily Mail: "Hayden's death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed. 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."
