Who Is Brian Hickerson? 5 Things to Know About Hayden Panettiere's Ex-Boyfriend

Hayden Panettiere endured a turbulent and complicated relationship with her ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson before her death.

The Scream actress began dating Hickerson in 2018 after ending her engagement to Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she welcomed daughter Kaya. Though they went their separate ways roughly four years ago, Hickerson and his tumultuous past relationship with Panettiere resurfaced in the public eye following the former child star's death.

Hickerson moved from South Carolina to Los Angeles to pursue a career in real estate. As reported by RadarOnline.com, he identified himself as the Director of Operations of Hickerson Property on a 2013 application.

He is also an aspiring actor who previously played Officer Williams in the 2017 film M.F.A.

Before Panettiere, Hickerson dated Instagram model Baskin Champion, who was previously linked to Justin Bieber following his split from Selena Gomez and before his engagement to Hailey Bieber.

Brian and Hayden's turbulent relationship began in 2018, with the pair dating on and off for four years before calling it quits for good in 2022. They remained friends despite ending their romance.

Brian had several run-ins with the law during his relationship with Hayden.

One of the earliest public incidents occurred in October 2018, when South Carolina police responded to a report of a domestic assault "in progress" involving Brian and his father, David. According to a police report, an officer saw Brian looking visibly upset as he chased his father, who appeared to have blood on his face, through the kitchen.

Brian denied attacking his father and explained the two had only argued because David "had been drinking too much." David also insisted the injuries came from a fall.

His legal troubles continued in May 2019, when Brian was arrested in Los Angeles following an alleged incident with Hayden, during which he allegedly brutally beat the Nashville actress three times over two days. Prosecutors charged him with felony domestic violence, alleging that he had injured the actress. Brian pleaded not guilty, and the case was dismissed in September 2019 after prosecutors said they were unable to secure a key witness.

Brian was arrested again on Valentine's Day in February 2020 after an alleged fight while they vacationing in Jackson, Wyo. He was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery and interfering with a police officer after allegedly punching Hayden in the face. He later pleaded not guilty.

Just five months later, in July 2020, Brian was arrested in Los Angeles on eight charges tied to several alleged incidents involving Hayden. The charges included four felony counts of injuring a spouse or cohabitant, two felony assault charges, one felony count of intimidating a witness and a misdemeanor battery charge, per People. He pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or cohabitant and was sentenced to 45 days in county jail, four years of probation, 52 domestic violence classes, $500 in restitution and a five-year protective order.

Brian and Hayden were involved in another public altercation outside a Los Angeles bar in March 2022, just months before they ended their relationship for good.

On the evening of August 16, a representative for Hayden announced her death in a statement to ABC News.

"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," the statement read. "She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her -- and to the millions who watched her onscreen."

TMZ reported Hayden and Brian flew from Los Angeles to the "south" on August 15, just one day before news of her death broke.

No cause of death has been publicly announced, and the circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.