Who Is Brian Hickerson? All About Hayden Panettiere’s Ex Boyfriend

Hayden Panettiere sadly passed away on Sunday (August 16), and she was reportedly last seen with her ex, Brian Hickerson.

According to TMZ, the former couple caught a flight from Los Angeles to the south the day before. Brian is originally from South Carolina.

The publication reports that his family is aware of her passing, and sources say “it’s a sad situation.”

Who is Brian Hickerson?

Brian moved from South Carolina to Los Angeles to work in real estate and get into acting.

Hayden and Brian started dating in 2018, and had an off-and-on relationship before they broke up in 2020 after he was arrested for domestic violence following a reported physical fight with her.

The pair reconnected in 2021 after he was released from prison, where he had served one month of a 45-day sentence for domestic violence against her.

“We have a long history together, and the first step in my recovery as an abuser is making amends. That’s exactly what Hayden has been gracious enough to allow me to do,” he said at the time.

In 2022, they reportedly got into a physical altercation with patrons at a West Hollywood bar, and later that year, Hayden opened up about surviving “a very dark and complicated time in my life.”

The following year, Hayden did an interview, and he was in the apartment while it was taking place. When asked if they were still together, she said, “There are feelings there, yes.”

Earlier this year, Hayden and Brian were spotted together once again, arriving off a flight to Los Angeles. At the time, a source said they were just friends.

After the release of her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” in May 2026, where she opened up about her life, including their relationship, Brian spoke out and admitted to abusing her.

“Man, I mean, I think it speaks for itself…I got arrested for abusing her. And I wouldn’t blame her friends for being pissed off at me. So I don’t really have much to say on that,” he said during an interview with TMZ.

“We’ve been together for eight years, I mean…I had a couple opportunities to apologize for it and reflect on it…you’d have to ask her what she thinks about it, but you know…you never lay hands on a woman. Bottom line,” he added.

At the time, he noted that he had been working on himself, and they still talked with each other.

Our thoughts go out to Brian and Hayden Panettiere‘s loved ones during this very difficult time. RIP.

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