Zach Hickerson details what happened inside Airbnb before Hayden Panettiere was found unconscious
Aug. 21. Hayden Panettiere, 36, was found unconscious at an Airbnb on Aug. 16 by her boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson, who told TMZ he called 911 while Brian administered Narcan before the two performed CPR together until emergency services arrived. Panettiere was declared deceased at the scene. The Drug Enforcement Administration has since been contacted and is assisting the investigation, Fox News reported.
Key takeaways
- Actor Hayden Panettiere, 36, was found unconscious at an Airbnb on Aug. 16 by her boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson, and was declared deceased at the scene.
- Zach Hickerson told TMZ he called 911 while Brian administered Narcan, after which both men performed CPR until emergency services arrived.
- The Drug Enforcement Administration has been contacted and is assisting the investigation, while police confirmed no signs of foul play.
- Panettiere's mother, Lesley Vogel, has publicly questioned Brian's role in her daughter's life and death and believes unanswered questions remain.
- Panettiere, known for 'Heroes' and 'Nashville,' would have turned 37 on Aug. 21.
Aug. 21. Hayden Panettiere, 36, was found unconscious at an Airbnb on Aug. 16 by her boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson, who told TMZ he called 911 while Brian administered Narcan before the two performed CPR together until emergency services arrived. Panettiere was declared deceased at the scene. The Drug Enforcement Administration has since been contacted and is assisting the investigation, Fox News reported.
Zach said in his statement that he attended church that Sunday morning and exchanged messages with Brian while en route. The two had planned to meet Panettiere for lunch and indoor golf after the service. When he could not reach Brian or Panettiere by phone afterward, he drove to the Airbnb. He knew the building entry code but not the door code to the unit.
Knocking loudly woke Brian from a nap. Both Brian and Panettiere had been sleeping on a pullout couch bed in the living room. When the two attempted to rouse her, she was unconscious. Zach said he called 911 immediately; Brian then gave Panettiere Narcan. Both men performed CPR with 911 on speaker until fire and emergency medical services arrived.
"We then watched as they tried every measure possible to save her life," Zach said in his statement to TMZ. He said he had known Panettiere for eight years and described her as one of his closest friends.
Brian Hickerson gave a separate statement to Fox News Digital through his attorney, noting that the investigation remains ongoing and that police confirmed no signs of foul play. He declined further comment.
Panettiere's mother, Lesley Vogel, has publicly questioned Brian's role in her daughter's life and death. She told Entertainment Tonight that DEA involvement leads her to believe unanswered questions remain. She told NBC News that Brian had been someone the family tried to remove from Panettiere's life without success. Brian previously faced domestic violence charges related to Panettiere and was eventually convicted. The police report obtained by Fox News Digital noted that Zach appeared "very emotional" while paramedics worked to revive Panettiere and that Brian showed no emotional response until she was declared deceased.
Panettiere, known for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," would have turned 37 on Aug. 21. Former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, the father of her daughter Kaya, posted a tribute on Instagram, writing: "Love is a superpower. Use it."