In a tragic incident that has shocked fans and loved ones alike, audio from a 911 call made by Zach Hickerson reveals attempts to save Hayden Panettiere, the beloved actress known for her roles in “Nashville” and “Heroes.” The call was placed on August 16, shortly before Panettiere, aged 36, was pronounced dead at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina.
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The audio, which has been acquired by leading news outlets, captures a frantic exchange during which Zach Hickerson, who is the brother of Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson, sought guidance on administering CPR. “Oh, God, oh, my God — you do like CPR or something?” Zach can be heard asking the operator. He explained that he arrived at the apartment after attending church and found his brother’s girlfriend unresponsive.
Even though Zach attempted to locate a defibrillator at the operator’s request, he was unable to find one. The operator quickly assessed the situation, asking whether Panettiere was breathing. Zach’s grim reply of “No, I don’t think so” prompted the operator to instruct him to initiate CPR. Following the operator’s guidance, Zach laid Panettiere flat on her back and began performing chest compressions while counting aloud until emergency services arrived.
This troubling incident aligns with earlier statements given by Zach to the media, wherein he expressed his profound heartbreak over the sudden loss. In an interview shortly after the tragedy, he recounted the moment he decided to visit the Airbnb after being unable to reach Brian or Hayden by phone. Upon entering, it quickly became apparent that something was gravely wrong.
Zach described the scene, saying, “We went in and tried to wake Hayden up for lunch, we realised she was unconscious. I immediately called 911.” He disclosed that Brian also attempted to assist by administering Narcan, a medication typically used to counteract opioid overdoses. The two brothers continued their efforts to resuscitate Panettiere while waiting for first responders to arrive.
On August 17, a report from PEOPLE mentioned that Narcan was discovered at the scene, signalling that Panettiere may have been facing a life-threatening opioid emergency. Known for her candidness about her struggles with addiction, she had faced challenges in the past. The accompanying police report indicated that Brian showed officers a bag of medication that Panettiere had reportedly been using.
As part of the ongoing investigation into her death, the Drug Enforcement Administration was involved and even searched Panettiere’s residence nine days following the incident. Notably, no charges have yet been filed against either brother in connection to her untimely death.
Legal representation for the Hickerson brothers released a statement emphasising the importance of allowing the ongoing investigation to unfold properly. Sloan Ellis, the attorney, noted that, “Hayden’s death remains under investigation… police confirmed there were no signs of foul play.” Thus far, the focus has remained on the circumstances surrounding her passing.
The Greenville County Coroner’s office reported that a 911 call was received at approximately 1:51 p.m. on the day of the incident. Responders located Panettiere in cardiac arrest, and despite their efforts, she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. Later, the coroner ruled her cause of death as an accident stemming from the toxic effects of various substances, including fentanyl and alprazolam.
Panettiere is survived by her daughter Kaya, who she had with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko. The actress had made the difficult decision to grant Klitschko full custody of their child in 2018 while she sought treatment for substance abuse and other personal struggles. She had openly discussed the complexities of her relationship with Kaya and challenged the notion that she had “given away” her daughter during an appearance on a podcast just three months before her passing.
The entertainment community has since mourned the loss of a talented star whose legacy will be forever cherished by her fans and family. With ongoing investigations into her passing, many hope to learn more about the circumstances that led to such a tragic loss.