Brian Hickerson seen in South Carolina after Hayden Panettiere's death

Brian Hickerson, who had been linked to actress Hayden Panettiere, was photographed entering a vehicle with his brother Zach in Greenville, South Carolina, on Wednesday afternoon. He was described as wearing sunglasses, a hat, a white T-shirt and a sweatshirt. Local police performed a welfare check at the home where Hickerson was staying, reportedly his grandmother's residence, arriving at around 8:20 a.m. and returning later for a brief inspection before leaving.

According to reports, Panettiere and Hickerson had reconnected two weeks before her death and traveled from Los Angeles to South Carolina the day before she was found unresponsive in an Airbnb. The actress was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. after first responders were unable to revive her.

Hickerson's prior legal history includes multiple arrests for domestic-violence incidents between 2019 and 2020, resulting in a short jail term, probation, mandatory counseling and a protective order. A recent court request to reduce his past charges was denied.

Panettiere, 36, is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, from a previous relationship.