Hayden Panettiere kept returning to Brian Hickerson because, his sister says, he had a personality that could pull people back in, even after their relationship became troubled and legally complicated.
“He is the most charismatic person and he draws you in,” Ashley Hickerson told the Daily Mail.
Ashley said Brian was funny and enjoyable to be around, and that she understood why Hayden remained connected to him during their years-long, on-and-off romance.
The pair began dating in 2018. Their relationship continued until Hayden was found dead Aug. 16 in Greenville, South Carolina. Brian and his brother Zach found her and called 911. Authorities are still awaiting toxicology results before determining her cause and manner of death.
Brian’s relationship with Hayden had previously led to criminal proceedings. She accused him of punching her during a 2020 argument, according to court documents.
He was arrested and later reached a resolution in that case and another in Wyoming. He was sentenced to 360 days in jail, with 358 days suspended, and received 12 months of unsupervised probation.
Ashley said Brian eventually tried to get help.
“He did seek treatment and he was getting help,” she said. “He did own up to his s–t.”
She also said, “It wasn’t until he got into drugs that he went south.”