Another episode has unfolded in Hayden Panettiere’s story.
The actress’ neighbor is giving another eyewitness account of an era in her life where medics had to intervene due to allegations of physical abuse by her boyfriend Brian Hickerson.
Hayden Panettiere and her boyfriend were embroiled in a reported volatile, on-and-off relationship which began in 2018 and was heavily marked by episodes of severe domestic abuse, legal battles and struggles with substance abuse.
The neighbor, identified as Mia Terrazzas, residing at the West Hollywood apartment complex where Panettiere once lived, revealed that she saw firefighters remove the actress from her apartment on a gurney twice.
The first scene was once on July 29, 2023, and again on January 16, 2024, when the “Heroes” actress appeared to have red marks, “bruises,” and often looked “battered.”
Terrazzas noted that Hickerson was very close to the actress on both occasions as she was taken out of the apartment. The neighbor added that the scenes led her to believe that Panettiere must have suffered some form of physical harm in the relationship.
The neighbor’s daughter, Vileena Koneru, corroborated the story, noting that she was present during the January 2024 incident and that she and her mother attempted to alert first responders during both incidents.
In 2023, Terrazzas recalled approaching Panettiere during the episode as she lay on the gurney and asked if she was alright, to which she responded in the affirmative.
Terrazzas also told Page Six that she often heard heated arguments from Panettiere’s apartment, and described another scenario where she yelled at Hickerson to leave her alone, though she does not know the reason for their encounters.
Mia Terrazzas Claims Authorities Struggled To Keep Brian Hickerson Away From The Actress
Hickerson had in 2021 pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or cohabitant, leading him to spend 45 days behind bars, bagging four years of probation, domestic violence classes and restitution. Panettiere also secured a five-year protective order against her boyfriend, which expired in April.
However, Terrazzas claimed that Hickerson did not stop coming around the complex despite the order, and they repeatedly contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to report his presence. She recalled the late actress’ boyfriend being escorted off the property on one occasion, only for him to return the next day.
According to Terrazzas, authorities told her that Panettiere and Hickerson continued reconnecting despite repeated attempts to keep them apart. Terrazzas said she understood the deputies’ position but kept reporting it in hopes something more could be done.
In August 2025, the building’s homeowners association reportedly posted notices warning residents that Hickerson was trespassing and advising them to call 911 if they saw him in shared areas. The actress’ neighbor claimed that the flyers disappeared roughly a week later, leaving her frustrated and confused.
When she tried putting them back up, she claimed the HOA told her Hickerson was no longer considered a danger because he was supposedly entering drug treatment.
Hayden Panettiere’s Neighbor Tearfully Reflects On Actress’ Final Years With Brian Hickerson
Terrazzas couldn’t hold back tears as she reminisced about her interactions with the movie star, whom she described as warm, kind, and someone who left a lasting impression. She said it was painful to watch her become more subdued over time and claimed Panettiere appeared noticeably different whenever Hickerson was around.
Terrazzas then described her personal encounters with Hickerson, which left her shivering with fear and feeling intimidated. The neighbor recalled an occasion when he followed her closely as they took a flight down the staircase without passing her, leaving her to wonder whether the behavior was intentional.
She noted that Hickerson’s documented history of domestic violence also unsettled her, coupled with his demeanor, which often struck her as distant or impaired, while Panettiere occasionally appeared similarly unfocused.
Panettiere and Hickerson are not strangers to the struggles of alcohol and substance abuse; both had been candid in the past. Still, Terrazzas stressed that she never personally witnessed either of them using drugs.
As she reflected on Panettiere’s death, The Blast shared that Terrazzas felt devastated because Panettiere was so young and she had so much life left to live.
The 36-Year-Old’s Cause Of Death Remains Undetermined
While several theories have circulated about the reason behind Panettiere’s sudden death, nothing official has yet come forward from authorities connected to the case. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office released the results of a completed autopsy, which found no signs of trauma that may have resulted in her death.
While recordings from the emergency services that showed up at her residence mentioned a possible overdose or cardiac arrest, investigators cannot confirm if the former was responsible.
A toxicology test has begun, and the result is expected in 8 to 12 weeks. As for the actress’s mother, Hickerson’s presence in her life must be investigated, as she had previously claimed he was toxic for her and they had tried to separate them but to no avail.
For now, the actress’s boyfriend has not been accused of playing any role in her death, nor has any arrest been made in connection with the unfortunate incident.
Hayden Panettiere’s Boyfriend’s Brother Narrated How She Was Found Unconscious
While Hickerson’s attorney has said her client wants to stay out of the case as the investigation continues, a source close to the actress’ boyfriend has offered some angle on the situation.
Hickerson’s brother, Zach Hickerson, explained that concerns about Panettiere began when he couldn’t reach the actress or his brother after he left church on August 16.
According to The Blast, Zach said he initially assumed Panettiere and his brother had fallen asleep, prompting him to head to the Greenville apartment to check on them. While he admitted he knew the building’s entry code, he did not have the apartment’s.
After repeatedly knocking, Hickerson eventually woke up as he had been sleeping on a pullout couch. After he entered, they decided to check on Panettiere in her room, and that’s when they discovered she was unresponsive.