Hayden Panettiere's boyfriend is speaking out for the first time since her death.
Brian Hickerson's attorney, Sloan Ellis, released a statement on his behalf to TMZ Thursday, Aug. 20, four days after the "Nashville" alum died at the age of 36.
"Hayden's death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed," Ellis said. "As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play.
"Out of respect for Hayden's loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time," the statement concluded.
Brian Hickerson, brother Zach Hickerson were with Hayden Panettiere when she died
On Aug. 16, Greenville, South Carolina police responded to an unresponsive female at
an apartment complex where Panettiere was staying with Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson. The two men were the 911 callers, according to a police report obtained by USA TODAY.
The 911 call, released by Reuters, TMZ and other outlets, revealed the former child star – best known for roles in "Nashville," "Heroes," "Ice Princess" and "Bring It On," – was in cardiac arrest after a possible overdose.
Police said they first spoke with Zach Hickerson, who identified Panettiere as "his brother's girlfriend." He was "very emotional" while emergency personnel attempted life-saving efforts, per the report, while Brian "did not become emotional" until medics declared the "Scream" franchise star dead.
The report further revealed Brian Hickerson showed police a "bag of medication" Panettiere was allegedly taking at the time. On Aug. 19, reports emerged that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is joining the high-profile multi-agency investigation into the actress' death.
Panettiere and Hickerson dated on-and-off since 2018. Their tumultuous relationship was marked by years of alleged physical abuse and multiple arrests for domestic violence.
In 2021, Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend for an altercation with Panettiere, and was sentenced to 45 days in jail, four years of probation and 52 domestic violence classes. The pair recently fueled rumors of reconciliation when they were photographed together earlier this year.
Contributing: Edward Segarra, Taijuan Moorman and KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hayden Panettiere's boyfriend speaks out for the first time since her death
