Brian Hickerson suffered a legal setback just three days before Hayden Panettiere died at 36. A judge rejected his latest request to reduce felony charges tied to his domestic abuse case involving the actress.
Hickerson had sought misdemeanor treatment and expungement after completing his probation. The ruling came as Panettiere’s sudden death brought renewed attention to their troubled relationship.
Brian Hickerson’s request to reduce felony charges was denied three days before Hayden Panettiere’s death
According to Page Six, prosecutors opposed Hickerson’s requests during an August 13 hearing. Judge Olivia Rosales then denied both motions, while the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the ruling.
Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony counts in April 2021. Prosecutors linked the charges to incidents involving Panettiere between May 2019 and January 2020.
He originally faced an eight-count criminal indictment. His 2021 sentence included 45 days in jail, four years of formal probation, and 52 classes. The sentence also included a five-year restraining order. Hickerson ultimately served 33 days after receiving credit for previous time behind bars.
Page Six reported that Hickerson had previously requested similar relief in July 2025. That earlier attempt also failed despite his completion of probation requirements. Panettiere and Hickerson began dating in 2018. Their relationship later involved multiple domestic violence allegations and arrests.
Panettiere discussed their relationship in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” She also described how difficult it remained to completely separate herself from Hickerson.
“Getting an abusive person out of your life is like trying to rip a weed out that is so entangled into your life,” Panettiere told Us Weekly.
“They always manage to find a way to slither back in, even if you’re an incredibly strong-willed person,” she added.
Hickerson also discussed one disturbing incident in the memoir. He recalled threatening to throw a phone at Panettiere while intoxicated.
Panettiere died on August 16 in South Carolina. Dispatch audio later referenced an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” during the emergency response.
TMZ reported that Narcan was found at the scene. Authorities had not confirmed an official cause of death at that point.
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If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
Originally reported by Vanshika Vasundhare Singh on Reality Tea
