Neighbors of the late actress Hayden Panettiere were previously alerted to keep an eye out for her ex-boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, with a warning poster placed outside her West Hollywood condominium. The poster, reportedly put up by the Homeowners Association (HOA) in late August 2025, featured Hickerson’s image and a directive for residents to contact 911 if he was seen on the property. This action followed a series of complaints regarding his alleged behavior and repeated trespassing in common areas.
Past Warnings and Allegations Surrounding Brian Hickerson
According to a neighbor who spoke with TMZ, the warning poster was displayed outside The Hancock Condominiums. It included two photographs of Hickerson, who had faced multiple domestic violence arrests during his relationship with Panettiere. The notice explicitly stated: “Please do not grant him access to the building. If he is seen anywhere on this property, please call 911 immediately and report that he is trespassing on the premises.” The HOA reportedly removed the poster about a week later, with the neighbor being informed that Hickerson was no longer considered a threat.
The neighbor, Mia Terrazas, who lived near Panettiere, claimed the poster was erected after years of disturbances involving Hickerson. She also stated that Hickerson had resided at the condo for approximately two years, even after a court-issued no-contact order was reportedly in place. Terrazas expressed fear of Hickerson, telling Inside Edition that she had called 911 at least six times due to disturbances at Panettiere’s residence.
Investigation into Panettiere’s Death Intensifies
The circumstances surrounding Hayden Panettiere’s death are currently under investigation, with reports indicating that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has joined the probe. Greenville Police and the coroner’s office are conducting parallel investigations. The DEA’s involvement reportedly aligns with initial dispatch calls from paramedics reporting a suspected overdose. First responders discovered Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, at the apartment where Panettiere was found deceased.
Panettiere’s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, confirmed that a narcotics investigator has joined the case. Vogel expressed uncertainty about the current status of the investigation but previously stated her strong disapproval of Hickerson’s presence in her daughter’s life, particularly noting that he was with Panettiere at the time of her death. She cited a history of Hickerson enabling Panettiere, which had long concerned her and Panettiere’s father.
History of Domestic Violence and Relationship Tumult
Court records have surfaced detailing alleged intimidating messages sent by Hickerson to Panettiere during their relationship. In the summer of 2020, amid domestic violence charges, Hickerson reportedly warned Panettiere that he possessed damaging information he could use against her. One such message allegedly read, “Time to go to war, I guess.” Ultimately, Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend, with other charges dropped. He served 33 days in jail.
Despite detailing years of violent abuse in her memoir earlier this year, Panettiere had reportedly reconciled with Hickerson. The couple was seen together as recently as March 2026, and a police report from the scene of her death referred to Panettiere as Hickerson’s girlfriend. Hickerson had made public statements about his past abuse, acknowledging his actions and expressing hope for a future with Panettiere.
Legal Troubles and Probation
Hickerson faced multiple arrests for domestic violence throughout his relationship with Panettiere. In May 2019, he was arrested in Los Angeles and later pleaded not guilty to a felony domestic violence charge, which was subsequently dismissed. In February 2020, he was arrested for domestic battery in Wyoming following a physical altercation, identified as with Panettiere. He again pleaded not guilty. In July 2020, Panettiere obtained a restraining order against him.
Later, in November 2021, Hickerson was arrested on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to alleged abusive incidents between May 2019 and January 2020, including dissuading a witness. He pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend and was sentenced to 45 days in jail, four years of probation, fines, and mandatory domestic violence classes. Hickerson completed his probation on August 1, but a judge denied his petition to have the charges expunged just days before Panettiere’s death.
Panettiere’s Struggles and Final Days
Hayden Panettiere had been open about her struggles with postpartum depression, addiction to opioids and alcohol, and her decision to relinquish custody of her daughter, Kaya, to her ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, in 2018. She entered a treatment center in 2020 for an eight-month rehab stint, describing her sobriety journey as an “everyday battle.” The status of her sobriety at the time of her death remains unclear.
Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were present at the apartment when Panettiere was pronounced dead at age 36 on Sunday. A redacted incident report indicated that Hickerson allegedly showed police a bag of medication Panettiere was taking. The presence of Narcan further suggested a potential overdose. While an official cause of death is pending toxicology results, the investigation continues with the reported involvement of the DEA.
Conclusion
The investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death is ongoing, with authorities examining all potential contributing factors. The past warnings issued by her neighbors regarding Brian Hickerson, coupled with his history of domestic violence arrests and the recent discovery of Narcan at the scene, are all elements being considered as the probe continues. The coroner’s office awaits toxicology results to determine the official cause of death.
