Coroner: Official cause in Hayden Panettiere’s death still pending despite national reports

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina/Gray News) - The official cause and manner of Hayden Panettiere’s death remain under investigation pending toxicology results, despite national reports citing preliminary findings.

FOX Carolina reached out to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, which stated: “We have not released anything at this time. We will send out an email release when ready.”

Panettiere’s boyfriend detained, brother arrested following Greenville restaurant altercation

Greenville Police said officers were called to the Wild Wing Cafe on Woodruff Road around 9:10 p.m. Saturday for a reported assault inside the restaurant.

As a result, police said Panettiere’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were among several people detained while the incident was being investigated.

While Brian Hickerson was released with no charges filed against him, police said Zach Hickerson was arrested for disorderly conduct after officers determined he was highly intoxicated and began shouting profanities in a public setting.

On Sunday afternoon, jail records showed Zach Hickerson was released on a recognizance bond of $257.50.

Statements from Panettiere’s representative, Brian Hickerson’s legal counsel

In August, both a representative for Panettiere and legal counsel for Brian Hickerson issued statements regarding the investigation into her death.

On Aug. 21, Panettiere’s representative shared the following statement: “There’s nothing to be shared at this time as the investigation is ongoing, but we are hopeful that justice will be served.”

City officials confirmed officers were called to Brian Hickerson’s family home in Greenville on Wednesday morning, Aug. 19, to conduct a welfare check, noting that the response was unrelated to the death investigation.

On Aug. 20, Ellis Hinton, legal counsel for Brian Hickerson, gave FOX Carolina the following statement: “Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed. As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play.

Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”

Background on Panettiere’s death

According to an incident report from Greenville Police, first responders were dispatched to the Judson Mill Lofts on Easley Bridge Road around 1:58 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16, for a report of an unresponsive female.

When officers arrived at the scene, the report states that multiple first responders were performing lifesaving measures and administering CPR. Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m. at the age of 36.

The incident report stated that responding officers spoke with Brian Hickerson and Zach Hickerson. Both men were inside the apartment at the time and called 911 after finding Panettiere unresponsive.

In Greenville 911 dispatch audio, responders can be heard discussing a possible “overdose” and noting that “CPR is in progress.”

Greenville County Coroner Mike Ellis previously confirmed Panettiere had no visible injuries or trauma and that preliminary findings showed no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.

Panettiere’s death remains under active investigation by Greenville Police, the Greenville County Coroner’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.