Hayden Panettiere’s final moments revealed as partner’s brother details desperate bid to save star: ‘She was unconscious!’
Zach Hickerson, the brother of Hayden Panettiere’s on-off partner Brian Hickerson, has spoken publicly for the first time about the actress’s final moments.
In a statement provided to TMZ, the 38-year-old detailed how he and Brian discovered the 36-year-old unresponsive at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina on Sunday.
Zach said he wished to “clarify my involvement” in what happened that day.
He revealed he dialled 911 whilst Brian administered Narcan, a nasal spray commonly used to counteract opioid overdoses.
Hayden Panettiere died aged 36 after being found unresponsive at an Airbnb in South Carolina
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REUTERS“I immediately called 911 and Brian gave her Narcan. We then jointly performed CPR while 911 was on speaker until Fire and EMS arrived,” Zach recounted.
“At that point we watched as they tried every measure possible to save her life,” he added.
The Heroes star was subsequently pronounced dead following the suspected overdose.
The trio had made plans to grab lunch and play indoor golf once Zach finished attending a church service that morning.
Zach Hickerson has spoken publicly about the actress’s death for the first time
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As he left the Sunday gathering, he attempted to contact both Ms Panettiere and his brother by phone and text, but received no response from either.
Assuming they had simply fallen asleep, Zach made his way back to the rental property.
However, he was unable to enter because he did not have the door code for the unit.
“I knocked loudly which apparently woke Brian up from a nap they were both taking on the pull out couch bed in the living room,” he explained.
Brian Hickerson administered Narcan before he and his brother performed CPR on the actress
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GETTY“When we went in and tried to wake Hayden up for lunch, we realized she was unconscious.”
Ms Panettiere and Brian had allegedly flown in from Los Angeles just one day before her death.
Brian is originally from Greenville, according to public records.
Zach described himself as “beyond heartbroken and devastated” by Ms Panettiere’s passing.
Over the course of eight years, he said, the actress had become one of his “dearest and closest friends”.
He called for an end to the “assumptions, speculations and accusations” surrounding the star’s death, insisting the “truth” would emerge once the police inquiry was complete.
On Thursday, Brian, 37, broke his own silence through his legal representatives.
His solicitor, Sloan Ellis, of the Ellis Hinton law firm, stated: “Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed.”
Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson had allegedly flown to South Carolina from Los Angeles the day before her death
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Mr Ellis added: “As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play.”
He said there would be no further comment out of respect for Ms Panettiere’s loved ones and the continuing investigation.
The revelations about Ms Panettiere’s final moments emerged just hours after her former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko honoured the actress on what would have been her 37th birthday.
The 50-year-old boxer shared a photograph of Panettiere alongside an emotional message.
“Today is Hayden’s birthday. Instead of celebrating the way we had planned, today we celebrate her life, her spirit, and the love she brought into this world,” he wrote.
Mr Klitschko expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans and friends, saying their kindness had reminded him “there is still so much good in humanity.”
“Even if only for a moment, think about LOVE. Reach out to a friend. Forgive someone. Be kind. Love is a superpower. Use it,” he urged.
He concluded: “Happy Birthday, Hayden. You are loved, you are missed, and you will never be forgotten.”
Hayden Panettiere shared daughter Kaya with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko
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Ms Panettiere shares a daughter, Kaya, with the Ukrainian boxer.
She transferred full custody to Mr Klitschko in 2018, when Kaya was three, whilst struggling with postpartum depression and addiction.
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Monday a post-mortem examination had been carried out and revealed no signs of trauma on Ms Panettiere’s body.
Chief deputy coroner Shelton England told the Daily Mail it was premature to discuss the overdose theory, with further enquiries needed to determine the cause of death.
The actress’ cause of death has not yet been officially determined
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A police officer who arrived at the Judson Mill Lofts property last Sunday afternoon noted “the patient did not seem to have any obvious physical reasons to be unresponsive.”
Emergency workers pronounced Ms Panettiere dead at 2.31 pm.
Narcan was discovered on a mattress inside the residence.
Her father, Skip, said in a statement: “She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”
He requested privacy as the family processes their loss.
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