TMZ<\/a>, the visit was part of a larger investigation to determine if criminal conduct may have played a role in Hayden\u2019s passing.<\/p>\nTwo Greenville Police Department vehicles reportedly arrived at the South Carolina residence of Hickerson\u2019s grandmother, Betty Ellison, at approximately 8:20 a.m.<\/p>\n
Witnesses say an officer knocked repeatedly on the front door while another attempted to access the home from the side. The officers left after roughly three minutes.<\/p>\n
TMZ later reported that police returned about 90 minutes later to \u201cconduct a welfare check.\u201d A Greenville Police Department representative confirmed the visit but did not specify who the officers were checking on.<\/p>\n
Hickerson\u2019s brother, Zach, 38, was reportedly inside the home during the initial visit. Brian, 37, and Zach had both been seen at the property the previous day.<\/p>\n
The residence is approximately five miles from the Greenville Airbnb where Panettiere was found unresponsive on Sunday, August 16.<\/p>\n
\nThe 36-year-old actress was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. after emergency responders attempted to revive her. Dispatch audio reportedly referenced a possible overdose and cardiac arrest, though an official cause of death has not been released.<\/p>\n
An autopsy found \u201cno signs of trauma\u201d that would have contributed to Panettiere\u2019s death. However, the investigation remains active while authorities await toxicology results.<\/p>\n
Brian was reportedly at the Airbnb when Panettiere died. According to a police report, he was asleep in another room when Zach discovered the actress unresponsive in a chair.<\/p>\n
Brian also reportedly showed officers a bag containing medications Panettiere had been taking<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe circumstances surrounding Panettiere\u2019s final days have drawn increased scrutiny because of her complicated history with Hickerson. The pair dated on and off for years, and Hickerson was convicted of felony charges related to domestic violence against the actress in 2021.<\/p>\n
Panettiere\u2019s mother, Lesley Vogel, has also publicly criticized Hickerson\u2019s role in her daughter\u2019s life<\/a> following the actress\u2019 death.<\/p>\nFor now, authorities have not publicly accused Hickerson or anyone else of wrongdoing in connection with Panettiere\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
But with the investigation ongoing and toxicology results still pending, there are clearly plenty of unanswered questions surrounding the tragedy.<\/p>\n
We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"Hayden](\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-113146739-1024x683.jpg\")