Brian Hickerson’s sister, Ashley Hickerson, says her brother’s natural charm was what kept Hayden Panettiere coming back to him despite their tumultuous relationship.
The late actress met the real estate agent in 2018 and they dated on and off until her tragic death last Sunday of an apparent overdose. Brian has been arrested multiple times for domestic violence against Panettiere, and was present at the Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina, when she died, alongside his brother, Zach Hickerson.
Ashley — who shares her dad, David, with Brian and Zach — told the Daily Mail about Brian, “If I can say one thing about Brian, it’s that he is the most charismatic person and he draws you in.”
“I get why Hayden was with him,” she continued. “Brian is just the type of person who can make you laugh no matter what, and he can be fun.”
Ashley insisted that Brian’s history of abuse is not a reflection on how he grew up.
“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.
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