Hayden Panettiere's Death Renews Scrutiny of Abuse, Addiction and Trauma, According to Experts

Hayden Panettiere’s death has reopened painful questions about the abuse, addiction and trauma she had spoken about before she died.

The actress, 36, died August 16 in Greenville, S.C. Very little is publicly known about the circumstances, though her death was reportedly caused by an apparent drug overdose that led to cardiac arrest. Police have said a preliminary investigation found no evidence of “foul play or suspicious circumstances,” and the coroner’s office said there were “no signs of trauma” that contributed to her death, though toxicology tests remain pending.

The person who called 911 was Brian Hickerson, the former boyfriend Panettiere had accused of abusing her, along with his brother Zach Hickerson. Brian has not been accused of involvement in her death.

Hayden wrote about Brian in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, describing a relationship that became violent. Brian later pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring Hayden and was sentenced to 45 days in jail.

“Talking about these cases can be tough; it's important to know that trauma and substance use are intrinsically linked as the substances become a coping mechanism,” said author and victims’ rights advocate Jennifer Storm, founder of Blackout Girl.

“No one deserves to be abused — period,” she added. “Centering the substance part as the coping for the ongoing trauma helps people understand the ‘why’ question people need answered.”

“People often expect survivors of domestic violence to act in a perfect, linear way, but trauma doesn't work like that,” said clinical and forensic psychologist Dr. Danielle Forshee. “It’s messy, and survival looks different for everyone.”

She said coverage should avoid turning trauma into spectacle.

“When the person who alleged the abuse is no longer here to speak for themselves, the responsibility on the media is even higher,” Danielle said. “You aren't just telling a story; you are handling a legacy.”

“Abuse always gets worse — unless the man goes into intensive psychiatric treatment or you leave,” said forensic psychiatrist Dr. Carole Lieberman, author of Bad Boys: Why We Love Them, How to Live with Them and When to Leave Them.

“Hayden was very lonely and sad, so she was vulnerable to making the wrong choice of believing, and returning to, her abuser,” she added. “This case makes an even more poignant point: how women are often more attracted to ‘bad boys’ than good ones — and how this can be a deadly choice.”

Jennifer said recovery cannot be separated from safety.

“We cannot heal in the same place we are being harmed; it's impossible,” she said. “So when active abuse is happening, substances for those who engage them as coping will naturally be present.”