Brian Hickerson Reacts to Hayden Panettiere Memorial Snub

Memorial Snub Accepted by On-Off Boyfriend and Brother

Organizers decided to exclude both Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach from the memorial guest list. According to sources close to the brothers who spoke to TMZ, the pair are not fighting the decision. Instead, they recognize the sensitivity surrounding the memorial and respect the choice to keep them away from the gathering of approximately 150 family members, close friends, and former colleagues.

Despite not attending the service, both Brian and Zach hope the event serves as a beautiful celebration of Panettiere, her life, and her legacy. Zach previously told TMZ that people who loved the actress deserve the truth as authorities complete their investigation, adding that her friends and family should be allowed to mourn peacefully without additional noise.

Struggling With Loss Amid Ongoing Investigation

Sources close to the brothers report that they are still struggling to process Panettiere’s death, with Brian facing a particularly difficult time adjusting to life without her. According to these sources, Brian has lost around 40 pounds since the actress died and still experiences moments where he expects to hear from her or believes the tragedy is a horrible dream.

Panettiere was pronounced dead on August 16 in Greenville, South Carolina. According to an incident report from the Greenville Police Department, Zach arrived at an Airbnb to find the actress unresponsive in a chair while Brian was sleeping in another room. Zach stated that Brian woke up, administered Narcan, and performed CPR while communicating with 911 dispatchers. A recent report alleged that Panettiere took a single oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl on the morning of her death, though her representative called that claim unverified hearsay in a statement to Page Six and noted that the death remains under investigation.

Recent Legal Trouble and Public Scrutiny

Both Brian and Zach have continued to deny any involvement in Panettiere’s death. However, the weeks following the tragedy have brought additional legal trouble. On September 12, Brian was handcuffed by police following an alleged altercation at a Greenville bar where eyewitnesses told TMZ that patrons had heckled the brothers over Panettiere’s death, leading to Brian’s detainment and Zach’s arrest for disorderly conduct.

The couple’s turbulent on-and-off relationship began in 2018 following Panettiere’s split from Wladimir Klitschko, the father of her daughter Kaya. Court records show Brian was arrested multiple times for alleged domestic abuse, leading to a 2021 no-contest plea to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend, resulting in jail time, probation, and domestic violence classes.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is Hayden Panettiere’s celebration of life taking place?

The private memorial is scheduled for Saturday at a church in Malibu, California, with around 150 family members, close friends, and former colleagues expected to attend.

Who made the 911 call when Hayden Panettiere passed away?

According to reports, an acquaintance placed the 911 call on August 16 from an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina, where the actress was staying with Brian and Zach Hickerson.

Are Brian and Zach Hickerson facing any charges regarding Panettiere’s death?

No. Both brothers have continually denied any involvement in her death, and local authorities stated that Panettiere’s autopsy showed no signs of trauma as the investigation remains ongoing.