NEWSHayden Panettiere's Boyfriend Brian Hickerson Was 'Pushing' for Them to Have a Baby Before Her Death, Claims Source: 'Raised Alarm Bells'
Brian Hickerson allegedly 'pushed' Hayden Panettiere to have a baby with him before her death.
Aug. 24 2026, Published 7:46 a.m. ET
Brian Hickerson was reportedly pressuring Hayden Panettiere to have a child with him before her sudden death.
A source claimed Hickerson was serious about starting a family with the actress, even as those close to Panettiere had concerns about how another pregnancy could affect her.
“Brian wasn’t casually talking about someday becoming a father — he was pushing Hayden to have a baby with him,” a source told Rob Shuter’s Substack page. “She understood exactly what another pregnancy could potentially mean for her emotionally, and she wasn’t convinced it was something she wanted to risk.”
Brian Hickerson was reportedly ‘pushing’ Hayden Panettiere to have a baby with him before her death, according to a source.
According to the insider, questions about Hickerson's wealth also added to the concerns surrounding the couple.
“Brian was struggling financially, so people absolutely questioned his motives,” the source claimed. “A baby wouldn’t just make them parents — it would connect him to Hayden for the rest of his life. That raised alarm bells.”
For Panettiere, the decision reportedly carried added weight because of her previous experience with pregnancy and postpartum depression.
Panettiere Previously Opened Up About Postpartum Depression
People close to Hayden Panettiere allegedly questioned Brian Hickerson's financial situation and his motives for wanting a child.
As OK! previously reported, Panettiere welcomed her daughter, Kaya, with her former fiancé, boxer Wladimir Klitschko, in 2014.
The singer later spoke publicly about the difficult period that followed her daughter's birth.
"It's something I think that needs to be talked about. Women need to know that they're not alone," Panettiere said during a September 2015 appearance on Live With Kelly and Michael.
She later added, "There's a lot of misunderstanding. Something that's completely uncontrollable, and its really painful and it's scary. Women need a lot of support."
The following month, ABC News reported that Panettiere had voluntarily entered a treatment center to seek professional help for her postpartum struggles.
"She asks that the media respect her privacy during this time," her representative said.
Panettiere later revealed that she was seeking treatment again in Utah.
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She Sought Help Again
Hayden Panettiere previously spoke openly about experiencing postpartum depression after welcoming her daughter, Kaya, in 2014.
In a May 2016 post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Panettiere said she was taking time to focus on her health and well-being.
"The postpartum depression I have been experiencing has impacted every aspect of my life," she wrote. "Rather than stay stuck due to unhealthy coping mechanisms I have chosen to take time to reflect holistically on my health and life. Wish me luck!"
Panettiere's Death Remains Under Investigation
Hayden Panettiere sought professional treatment for her postpartum depression and later returned to treatment in 2016.
Panettiere died in South Carolina on August 16 at age 36 after police responded to a report of an unresponsive woman.
Dispatch audio reportedly referenced both “cardiac arrest” and an “overdose.”
Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were reportedly at the residence when authorities arrived. A bottle of Narcan was also reportedly found at the home.
