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Hayden Panettiere’s relationship with Brian Hickerson was marked by disturbing allegations and repeated attempts to distance herself from the actor, yet his family says there was another side to him that made their connection difficult to break. 

Now, following Panettiere’s death, Brian’s older half-sister Ashley Hickerson is offering insight into the personality she believes kept drawing the actress back. 

Her account comes as previously overlooked records reveal that Brian’s history of violent confrontations predates his relationship with Panettiere.

Hayden Panettiere Was Drawn To Brian Hickerson’s Charismatic Personality

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For Ashley Hickerson, understanding Hayden Panettiere’s relationship with her brother requires looking beyond the violence that became associated with their years together. 

She described her brother as someone whose personality could be magnetic, particularly when he was at his best.

“If I can say one thing about Brian, it’s that he is the most charismatic person and he draws you in,” Ashley told the Daily Mail. 

She believes that quality helped explain why Panettiere repeatedly returned to him despite the troubling incidents that surrounded their relationship.

“I get why Hayden was with him,” Ashley noted, adding, “Brian is just the type of person who can make you laugh no matter what and he can be fun.”

Ashley also offered her own explanation for the changes she saw in her brother, saying, “We all have our demons. Brian was not raised that way. It wasn’t until he got into drugs that he went south.”

Panettiere’s Ex Had A Troubling History Before Their Romance

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Brian’s violent history did not begin with his relationship with Hayden Panettiere. South Carolina records show that in November 2010, when he was 21, he was charged with two counts of third-degree assault and battery by mob following an incident in Greenville. 

His father, David Hickerson, and brother Zachary were charged in connection with the same incident. The ultimate disposition of those charges is unclear, but Ashley confirmed that her family remembered what happened. “Some people caused a riot with them in 2010,” she explained, adding, “That’s what my dad told me.”

Years later, violence again appeared to surface within the Hickerson family. In August 2018, reports revealed that Brian and Zachary had been involved in a fight at Panettiere’s Hollywood Hills home. Two months later, police responded to another confrontation at the family’s Greenville residence.

The October 2018 incident offered an especially revealing glimpse into Panettiere’s relationship with Brian. 

According to the police report, she told an officer that Brian had “destroyed her kitchen” months earlier. 

Hayden Panettiere Was Present During A Frightening Hickerson Family Confrontation

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The October 2018 police call began with a report of a “domestic assault in progress.” According to TMZ, when officers arrived shortly before midnight, one officer reported seeing David through the home’s front windows with what appeared to be blood on his face.

Brian was behind him holding an object in both hands, and the officer revealed that “it appeared that he might be chasing” his father through the kitchen. Panettiere was inside the home and appeared “frantic” as police arrived. The report said she struggled to unlock the front door for officers.

Brian was described as “visibly agitated, trembling and flexing his body and cursing” when confronted. He was handcuffed while officers attempted to determine what had happened, but he denied assaulting his father.

David also declined to accuse his son, telling police his injuries came from a fall. However, the responding officer noted that the bruising on David’s face “appeared to be severe.”

The case was ultimately recorded as “exceptionally cleared” because the alleged victim declined to cooperate. 

More From The Blast

• Panettiere previously obtained a restraining order against Brian Hickerson after their troubled relationship escalated.
• Resurfaced court documents revealed Hickerson allegedly threatened to “go to war” following his 2020 domestic battery arrest.
• A source claimed Panettiere eventually hired private security after Hickerson allegedly “surveilled her” and inserted himself back into her life.
• Panettiere’s neighbor later recalled seeing the actress “battered” and bruised on two occasions while discussing the former couple’s volatile history.

Panettiere’s Mother Reveals Why She Never Stopped Worrying About Brian

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The resurfaced details about Brian’s past followed an even more emotional revelation from Hayden Panettiere’s family. 

In her first major television interview since her daughter’s death, the actress’s mother, Lesley Vogel, told “Good Morning America” that concerns about Brian had become a major source of tension within the family long before the actress died. 

Speaking about the years leading up to Panettiere’s death, Vogel claimed her daughter understood the problems in the relationship. 

“She knew that Brian was toxic. She knew she had to get him out of her life,” Vogel explained. According to her account, she even moved in with Panettiere for a period to help support her through personal struggles and encourage her to move on from Brian. 

However, the situation ultimately created a painful divide between mother and daughter. Vogel recalled receiving a call from Panettiere, who told her, “I’m going to be with the person I love,” a decision that prompted her to step away after realizing her efforts had not changed her daughter’s mind. 

Panettiere’s mother also revealed that family members had been worried about Brian’s influence “for years.” 

Hayden Panettiere’s Ex Breaks Silence As Investigation Continues

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As scrutiny surrounding Panettiere’s final days intensified, Brian addressed the tragedy publicly for the first time through his attorney. 

Rather than directly addressing criticism or discussing his relationship with Panettiere, Brian’s legal team focused on the ongoing investigation. 

Attorney Sloan Ellis stated per The Blast, “Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed.” 

He added, “As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play.” 

The statement concluded by making clear that Brian would not be speaking further about the case. “Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time,” Ellis said.

The Brian Hickerson’s Sister Reveals The Side Hayden Panettiere Couldn’t Resist first appeared on The Blast