Hayden Panettiere's devastating last moments have been revealed, with on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson administering Narcan, a nasal spray designed to help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, after she could not be woken up.
Brian's brother Zach detailed those final few hours in a statement to TMZ after what he called "a lot of assumptions, speculations and accusations".
"The truth will come out as the authorities complete and release additional details from the investigation. And that is important because the people who loved and adored Hayden deserve the truth," he said.
© Getty ImagesHis statement, which came on what would have been the Heroes actress' 37th birthday, was to "clarify" his involvement, and revealed that he and Brian had arrived in South Carolina on Saturday August 15, 2026.
The next morning he awoke in his Airbnb and attended a local church service. He then called his brother and texted Hayden, but neither replied and so he drove to their Airbnb, as the three had plans to get lunch.
Zach claimed he did not have the door code so "knocked loudly" which woke Brian from a nap they were both taking on the pullout couch in the living room.
© Zach Hickerson"When we went in and tried to wake Hayden up for lunch, we realized she was unconscious," said Zach..
Narcan use
"I immediately called 911 and Brian gave her Narcan. We then jointly performed CPR while 911 was on speaker until Fire and EMS arrived. At that point we watched as they tried every measure possible to save her life."
The use of Narcan — which can be purchased over the counter – and its immediate availability suggests the brothers traveled with it, purchased it in South Carolina, or Hayden had it on her person.
It is widely carried for harm reduction and to reverse opioid overdoses as street drugs are becoming more often laced with fentanyl.
© GC ImagesA heavily redacted police report previously revealed that Brian gave local officers a "bag of medication" that Hayden was taking at the time of her death.
Official report
A media release from the Greenville Police Department confirmed that they arrived on the scene at 1:51 pm local time. Hayden was pronounced dead at 2:32 PM.
Her passing was confirmed in a statement from her representative to HELLO! "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," it read, adding: "An investigation is ongoing and cause of death has not yet been determined."
© ABC via Getty ImagesAuthorities have confirmed that there were no "signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances," and the 911 audio mentions an "overdose."
Toxicology reports and an official cause of death remain pending.
'Beyond heartbroken'
"I am beyond heartbroken and devastated by this tragic and traumatic loss," Zach continued in his statement. He had known the actress for eight years after she first began dating his brother, Brian.
'Hayden was one of my dearest and closest friends that I loved and cared about for the last 8 years," he said, concluding: "Out of respect for her loved ones, the speculation and sensationalism of her death needs to end until the facts can be released from the investigation."
© GC ImagesHayden and Brian's difficult relationship
Hayden and Brian had a tumultuous relationship. In her memoir, released only months before her passing, she claimed that Brian once beat her so badly she did not leave the house for weeks.
Los Angeles County criminal court records reveal he was arrested on May 2, 2019, on allegations of injuring a spouse, although the documents do not identify the name of the victim. He pleaded no contest on April 20, 2021, and was sentenced in 2022 to four years’ probation.
Hayden later requested a restraining order against him on July 14, 2020. "I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again," she said in a statement at the time.
Three years later, Brian attended the celebration of life event for Hayden's younger brother Jansen on March 8, 2023 in New York with Hayden.
Hayden's addictions
© Getty ImagesHayden had battled substance abuse and mental health issues for years, after coming up in Hollywood as a child star and cementing her talent on Heroes , and Nashville.
She was open about her struggles with alcohol and drug use, and also privately battled postpartum depression.
In 2018 Hayden gave up full custody of her then-four-year-old daughter Kaya to Kaya's father, ex-fiance Wladimir Klitschko.
