Brian Hickerson had little to say when asked how he was doing one month after the death of his on-and-off girlfriend, Hayden Panettiere.
A photographer approached Hickerson outside a Greenville, South Carolina, gas station on Wednesday and asked how he was holding up following the actress’ August 16 death.
“How do you think I’m doing?” Hickerson, 36, responded.
When the photographer then expressed condolences, Hickerson replied, “Appreciate it. That’s all I got for you, man.”
One month after Hayden Panettiere's tragic death at 36, Brian Hickerson—who was in a relationship with the "Heroes" star and with her at the time of her passing—spoke out for the first time. https://t.co/R9BWOlR63X pic.twitter.com/yiBdAjUhWJ
— E! News (@enews) September 16, 2026
The brief exchange comes as questions surrounding Panettiere’s death at age 36 remain unanswered.
According to a police report, Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present at the Greenville residence where Panettiere was found. Officials have said no signs of trauma were discovered that contributed to her death, while her cause and manner of death remain under investigation.
Panettiere’s representative has also pushed back against reports citing unnamed sources about the circumstances surrounding her death.
“While we are all eager to find closure and better understand the circumstances surrounding her passing, we must remain patient and allow the investigative process to unfold,” the statement said.
BREAKING / UPDATE: Newly surfaced footage shows Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, apparently being detained last night.
— Amy Leigh (@IAmyLeigh) September 13, 2026
In the video, Hickerson can be heard shouting: "GPD leaked it when my girlfriend died!" referencing the Greenville Police Department, which is… pic.twitter.com/1wbrnwHrsz
Hickerson first responded publicly through attorney Sloan Ellis four days after Panettiere’s death.
“It is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” Ellis said at the time.
Panettiere and Hickerson shared a complicated, on-and-off relationship dating back to 2018. Hickerson pleaded no contest in 2021 to two felony counts of injuring a partner stemming from a domestic violence case.
