Hayden Panettiere’s death has left fans mourning the actress, but attention has also turned to the two men who were with her in the final hours of her life.
Now, the first photographs of Hayden’s on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, since the tragedy have emerged — and their timing is raising eyebrows.
Hayden was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16, 2026, and could not be revived.
Greenville police said there were no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances, while the Greenville County Coroner’s Office said an autopsy found no trauma that contributed to her death. Her official cause and manner of death remain under investigation.
Hayden and Brian Hickerson were photographed together in Los Angeles in January 2019. More than seven years later, multiple reports said the on-and-off couple flew from Los Angeles to South Carolina together on August 15, 2026. | Source: Getty Images
Brian and Zach were both at the residence when she died. According to TMZ, Zach discovered Hayden unresponsive while Brian was sleeping in another bedroom. Zach and Brian called 911, and emergency personnel arrived at about 1:50 p.m. Hayden was in cardiac arrest, and despite efforts to revive her, she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.
A neighbor later described seeing two unidentified men sitting with police following the emergency response. The resident told Page Six that the men appeared shocked, with their heads down and not speaking. Police remained at the complex until about 8 p.m., according to the neighbor’s account.
But it was what happened several days later that gave the story another unexpected turn.
Hayden Panettiere attends an event in 2022, years before her sudden death at 36. Her death was later reported to be under investigation, with police saying there were no initial signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. | Source: Getty Images
First Photos of Brian and Zach Surface
Fox News Digital obtained exclusive photographs showing Brian and Zach at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, marking the first time the brothers have been photographed since Hayden’s death.
In one image, Brian is seen walking past a stone wall in a white hooded tracksuit and sunglasses. At the same time, another photograph shows Zach standing beside an open vehicle door in a black T-shirt, baseball cap and sunglasses. The photos offer a rare glimpse of the brothers in the days following the actress’ sudden death.
Years before Brian Hickerson was photographed again following Hayden Panettiere’s death, he and Hayden were seen together at the March 2023 celebration of life for her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, in Palisades, New York. Their appearance offered another glimpse into the on-and-off relationship that would later bring Brian back into the spotlight after Hayden’s death. | Source: Getty Images
The brothers’ appearance has inevitably drawn attention because of their presence at the Greenville residence when Hayden was found. At the same time, authorities have not said that Brian or Zach caused or contributed to her death, and the official cause and manner remain pending.
The photographs have nevertheless prompted a wave of reactions online. One commenter wrote, “His brother looks more sad [sic] than him.” Another commenter wrote, “Looks fishy!!!” A third commenter wrote, “This death doesn’t line up.”
The photographs emerged as police attention also turned to a Greenville residence connected to the Hickerson family.
Police Came to Their Family Home — Twice
According to Page Six, two Greenville Police Department vehicles arrived at Brian and Zach’s grandmother Betty Ellison’s home at about 8:20 a.m. Wednesday. An officer approached the front door and repeatedly knocked but received no response. Another officer tried the side door, but no one answered there either.
Page Six reported that Zach was home at the time, despite nobody opening the door. The officers left after roughly three minutes, only to return about an hour and a half later. During the second visit, officers went around the back of the property to “conduct a welfare check.” They did not specify who the welfare check concerned. The officers left about 10 minutes later.