A year before the tragic passing of Hayden Panettiere, residents in her West Hollywood neighborhood were alerted about Brian Hickerson, her tumultuous partner.
According to TMZ, the Homeowners Association put up flyers featuring photos of the “Nashville” star’s intermittently rekindled boyfriend in August 2025.
The residents were advised to contact law enforcement upon sighting this man, described as having been seen trespassing in shared spaces and corridors, and were cautioned against allowing him entry.
The document emphasized, “If he is spotted anywhere on this property, dial 911 right away to report his trespassing activity.”
The notice remained up for a week until Mia Terrazas, a neighbor living adjacent to Panettiere’s condo, was informed that Hickerson was no longer deemed a threat at the time.
Hickerson, who was present when Panettiere died in South Carolina on Sunday of an apparent overdose, has been romantically linked to the “Heroes” alum since 2018.
In 2021, he pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend after multiple arrests over incidents involving Panettiere.
He was sentenced to 45 days in jail, four years of formal probation, 52 domestic violence classes and $500 in restitution. Panettiere was granted a five-year protective order.
However, Terrazas claimed Hickerson lived in Panettiere’s condo for the last two years.
The Golden Globe nominee’s neighbor told “Inside Edition” she was “terrified” of Panettiere’s partner and called the cops over alleged disturbances several times.
Hickerson, we’re told, “always [found] a way to work his way back into Hayden’s life as ‘a friend.’”
Panettiere, notably, explained to People in 2022, “I am open to people who are willing to get help and make amends. He’s gone to treatment and done his time. And I’m trying to live in a place of forgiveness.”
In May — while Panettiere was promoting her “This Is Me: A Reckoning” memoir, in which she detailed the abusive relationship — Hickerson dubbed his ex a “good buddy” and “friend” in a TMZ interview.
He also shared his “hope” of marrying Panettiere “one day” but acknowledged she “probably didn’t think the same way.”
The duo reconnected two weeks before Panettiere’s passing, we hear, with the former child star reportedly keeping her pals “in the dark” due to “shame.”
The pair flew from Los Angeles — where Hickerson was dealt a recent legal blow, with a judge refusing to expunge and reduce the charges to a misdemeanor — to South Carolina on Saturday.
Panettiere passed away the following day, with Zach Hickerson reportedly finding her body while his brother slept in another room.
Her cause of death is not yet known at this time, and while there are no “signs of foul play,” the Drug Enforcement Administration has joined the investigation.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).