Story perspectives

Autopsy Pending After Panettiere Death, No Trauma Found

8/20/2026

Summary

Panettiere Found Dead

Hayden Panettiere was found dead on August 16, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina.
Her boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach called 911 and handed officers a bag of her medication.
Dispatch audio mentioned overdose and cardiac arrest, but autopsy found no trauma and cause of death remains pending.
Hickerson, who pleaded no contest to two felony domestic-violence counts in April 2021, was denied a request to reduce those convictions on August 13, 2026.

Summary

Officials Dismiss Check

Greenville officials said the welfare check at the Hickerson home was unrelated to Hayden Panettiere’s death investigation.
Police arrived at Betty Ellison’s house at about 8:20 a.m., knocked on both doors, and left after three minutes.
The city confirmed no incident report was filed for the visit.
A private individual’s call prompted a brief visual assessment that officials called a routine safety check, not part of the criminal probe.

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Panettiere Found Dead

Hayden Panettiere was found dead on August 16, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina.
Her boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach called 911 and handed officers a bag of her medication.
Dispatch audio mentioned overdose and cardiac arrest, but autopsy found no trauma and cause of death remains pending.
Hickerson, who pleaded no contest to two felony domestic-violence counts in April 2021, was denied a request to reduce those convictions on August 13, 2026.

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