Hayden Panetierre’s body found by Zach Hickerson while brother Brian was asleep in the other room: report

Zach Hickerson reportedly found Hayden Panettiere unresponsive while his brother, Brian Hickerson, was asleep in another room.

According to a new report from TMZ, published Tuesday, sources with “direct knowledge” claimed that Hayden and Brian were inside an Airbnb rental apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, Sunday afternoon when Zach entered and discovered the “Heroes” actress sitting in a chair in the living room.

First responders arrived at the scene after the brothers called 911. They attempted to revive Panettiere but were unsuccessful. Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. She was 36.

Additionally, the Daily Mail reported Tuesday that a reporter from their team approached Zach in South Carolina for comment.

“No comment, bro, and with no offense to you and what you’re trying to do, this is private property,” Zach, who is a Nashville independent church founder, told the outlet.

“Please respect our privacy. I’m not going to answer anything that you ask me. I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t mind just leaving us alone. I know you’re just doing your job.”

As Page Six previously reported, Panettiere was found dead in Greenville, South Carolina, Sunday. She was 36.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” her father, Skip, told Page Six in a statement.

“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 on-screen. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”

Audio from the 911 call revealed that Panettiere was found unresponsive at a luxury apartment complex in the area after an apparent “overdose.” 

Autopsy results stated that there were no “signs of trauma” at the time of her death. Per TMZ, Narcan — a medication used for its reversal effects on an opioid overdose — was found at the scene. However, it’s unclear whether Panettiere received the dose or if another person in distress at the apartment did.

Page Six reported Tuesday that Panettiere’s on-again, off-again ex, Brian, and his brother, Zach, were both with her at the time of her death.

Per a police report, Brian handed over a “bag of medication” the actress had allegedly been taking to reporting officer Matthew Bryan after she was declared dead at the scene.

Panettiere notoriously had a tumultuous relationship with Brian, whom she dated on and off for years. We’re told the “Nashville” star kept some of her friends “in the dark” about apparently reconnecting with him before her sudden death.

“If Brian was back in her life, then it was something she was hiding because she wasn’t speaking about it with many of her friends,” a source exclusively told Page Six. “If you’ve gone through some dark times with people, and spoken about it, then there can be shame if you get back together with that same person. So maybe that was why she hadn’t mentioned it to us.”

Following Panettiere’s death, the actress’ estranged mother, Lelsey Vogel, slammed Brian in a scathing statement released to NBC News on Tuesday.

“This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death. And that was Brian Hickerson,” she said in part, calling her daughter “an amazingly talented” person.

“And I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry — it is a struggle, and it’s a very challenging industry, and it’s not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path.”

If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).