NEWSHayden Panettiere Hired Private Security to Keep Ex Brian Hickerson 'Away' Before Her Death, Source Claims
Hayden Panettiere reportedly hired private security in the months leading up to her death to avoid ex Brian Hickerson.
Aug. 21 2026, Updated 8:16 a.m. ET
Hayden Panettiere reportedly wanted to avoid her ex-boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, before her shocking death.
A source recently revealed to Us Weekly that the late star tried her best to cut off all connections between her and her allegedly abusive ex in the months leading up to her death.
In fact, she went as far as hiring guards to protect herself from coming into contact with him.
Hayden Panettiere Reportedly Hired Guards to Avoid Brian Hickerson Before Her Death
Brian Hickerson was previously arrested multiple times on domestic violence charges during his relationship with Hayden Panettiere.
The former child star, who tragically passed away last Sunday, August 16, began dating Hickerson in 2018. During their tumultuous relationship, her ex was reportedly arrested multiple times on charges of domestic violence.
In fact, he served 33 days behind bars after being convicted of the same in 2020, per the outlet.
The source revealed, “She helped him from time to time because he made her feel guilty, claiming he was trying to turn his life around, but couldn’t because she put him in jail.”
“But he would always take advantage of her and wouldn’t leave, so she hired private security to not only remove him, but to keep him away from her,” they added.
Hayden Panettiere had her private security evict Brian Hickerson from her apartment.
An insider also told the outlet that the pair reconnected earlier this year when Hickerson pleaded with the former Disney star that he needed a place to stay.
“Brian said he needed to crash on Hayden’s couch. He told her that he had no money and nowhere to go because of the past criminal charges against him and he blamed that on her,” they stated.
“He said it was her fault. She let him stay there temporarily, but then he wouldn’t leave, so her private security was involved to remove him,” they shared.
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Brian Hickerson Was Allegedly Surveilling Hayden Panettiere Before Her Death
Brian Hickerson was allegedly 'surveilling' Hayden Panettiere before her death.
During his brief stay with her, a source pointed out that Hickerson “had inserted himself into her life and was surveilling her.”
Panettiere seemingly found out one day that “he had apparently set up cameras in her place.”
Upon learning of the gross transgression, she evicted her ex from her apartment.
“It was at the same time that Hayden had her security remove Brian from her home and the security guard lived with her as well to make sure he stayed away,” the insider noted.
Brian Hickerson was reportedly with Hayden Panettiere when she died.
A different source previously spoke to Us Weekly about how drastically their relationship shifted over the summer, which most people in her life had no idea about.
“Brian was with her at the time of her death,” they said.
“All was well up until a week ago when she went kind of silent, and then she passed away,” they added.
