Ashley Hickerson believes that it was her brother Brian’s undeniable charisma that kept actress Hayden Panettiere returning to him, despite the ups and downs in their relationship.
The actress, who sadly passed away last Sunday from a suspected overdose, first crossed paths with the real estate agent in 2018. Their relationship was marred by turbulence, with Brian facing multiple arrests for domestic violence against Panettiere. At the time of her tragic death, he was at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina, with his brother, Zach Hickerson.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Ashley Hickerson, who shares the same father, David, with Brian and Zach, described her brother’s alluring personality: “If I can say one thing about Brian, it’s that he is the most charismatic person, and he draws you in.”
She added, “I understand why Hayden stayed with him. Brian has the knack for making people laugh no matter the circumstance, and he can be a lot of fun to be around.”
Ashley stressed that Brian’s abusive history doesn’t stem from his upbringing. She remains adamant that it doesn’t reflect how they were raised.
“We all have our demons. Brian was not raised that way,” she said. “It wasn’t until he got into drugs that he went south.”
Brian already had a record years before meeting Panettiere, the outlet reported. Brian was arrested in November 2010 (when he was 21 years old) and charged with two counts of third-degree assault and battery by mob, alongside David and Zach.
Ashley commented of the incident, “Some people caused a riot with them in 2010. That’s what my dad told me.”
Ashley noted that Brian did acknowledge his issues.
“He did seek treatment and he was getting help,” she said. “He did own up to his s–t.”
She shared that despite Panettiere’s rocky relationship with Brian, the Hickerson family — particularly her dad — is grieving her death.
“My family is really feeling this loss as well,” she said, calling the “Nashville” alum’s death a “massive tragedy.”
Page Six has reached out to Brian’s attorney, Sloan Ellis, about Ashley’s claims.
Ellis previously told Page Six that “Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed.”
“As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play,” the statement continued. “Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”
Meanwhile, Panettiere’s estranged mom, Lesley Vogel, has spoken out against Brian, doubting his alleged story about the timeline of the day she died and blaming her rocky relationship with her daughter on him.
She told the New York Times that Brian had pawned some of Panettiere’s belongings before she died, including a vintage guitar, and that the “Heroes” alum was shocked that some of her personal items were in Brian’s personal storage unit.
Brian was facing serious financial issues after his arrests for domestic violence against Panettiere, and he filed for bankruptcy in 2022.