Brian Hickerson Accused of Drug Use Days Before Hayden Panettiere's Tragic Passing

Hayden Panettiere's ex Brian Hickerson was reportedly accused of drug use three days before the actress’ unexpected death at 36.

According to court records obtained by People on Friday, August 21, prosecutors accused Hickerson, 37, of continued drug use amid his efforts to expunge his domestic violence convictions. Neither Hickerson nor his attorney attended the hearing.

During the hearing that occurred on August 13, prosecutors argued that Hickerson’s petition to expunge his two felony counts of corporal injury to a spouse/cohabitant should be denied. (Hickerson was convicted in 2021 after pleading no contest in a domestic violence case involving Panettiere. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail, for which he spent 13 days behind bars, four years of formal probation, 52 domestic violence classes and a five-year protective order. Hickerson also had to pay $500 in restitution.)