Hayden Panettiere and the yellow one on the last hours before he died.

Hayden Panettiere, the 36-year-old actress known for her roles in Nashville and Scream, died on August 16 after being found unconscious in a Greenville, South Carolina, apartment. Her former fiancé, Brian Hickerson, attempted to revive her using Narcan, a medication used to counter opioid overdoses, before emergency services arrived. The account comes from Zach Hickerson, Brian’s brother, who shared the details with TMZ, revealing the tense final hours of the actress's life. According to Zach, the couple had traveled to Greenville the day before Panettiere’s death. Their relationship, which began in 2018, was marked by periods of separation and reconciliation, complicated by past incidents of domestic violence. In 2020, Brian pleaded "no contest" to two charges related to an alleged assault on Panettiere, resulting in a brief prison sentence and four years of probation. Despite this history, the pair reunited and made their way to Greenville together. The morning of August 16 saw Zach knocking repeatedly on the door of the apartment where the couple was staying. When he and Brian tried to wake Panettiere for lunch, they found her unresponsive. Brian immediately administered Narcan, a drug designed to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. While performing CPR alongside Brian, Zach called 911, keeping the line open until emergency responders arrived. According to Zach, the efforts continued until firefighters and medical personnel reached the scene. Paramedics eventually declared Panettiere dead at 2:31 p.m., though the cause of death has not been officially determined. An autopsy did not reveal signs of physical trauma, and the 911 call mentioned the possibility of an overdose. Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, expressed skepticism about the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death, particularly regarding the timing of the emergency call. She pointed out that Brian, who had been previously excluded from Panettiere’s life due to his criminal record, was present when she died. Vogel raised questions about whether help was sought promptly enough. Panettiere had spoken openly about her struggles with alcohol and depression in her memoir, This Is Me, published months before her death. In the book, she detailed instances of abuse she endured during her relationship with Hickerson. These revelations added layers of complexity to the tragedy, as the public learned more about the emotional toll of her personal life. Brian Hickerson’s presence in Greenville was not unexpected, given the recent reconciliation between him and Panettiere. However, the decision to bring him into her life again came amid ongoing concerns about her well-being. Friends and family had long worried about the impact of their tumultuous relationship on her mental health. The situation escalated further with the discovery of her body, raising new questions about the role of substances in her death. Emergency responders confirmed that they were called to the scene shortly after 2:00 p.m. Upon arrival, they performed additional life-saving measures, but these proved ineffective. The lack of visible injuries suggested that the cause of death might have been internal, possibly linked to an overdose. However, no official confirmation has yet been released, leaving many aspects of the incident unresolved. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to Panettiere’s death. Toxicology reports and further analysis of the scene will provide critical insights into the factors that contributed to her passing. Meanwhile, the public awaits clarity on the events that transpired in the final moments of her life.