Brian Hickerson made a terrifying threat in a since-deleted Instagram comment — just weeks before his on-again, off-again girlfriend, Hayden Panettiere, died from a suspected overdose.
The original Instagram post featured a selfie and was shared seven years ago by Hickerson, who has been arrested for domestic violence-related incidents involving Panettiere in the past.
According to a screenshot obtained by Page Six, a user recently commented on the post back in June, asking him, “Some woman dates [sic] you???”
Hickerson wrote in his since-deleted message at the time, “Yes, it’s wonderful if she gets out of line I just Google myself and say hey stop it this is what I’m allegedly capable of.”
Hickerson’s account has been deactivated since news broke of Panettiere’s death over the weekend.
While it’s unclear whether Hickerson was dating Panettiere at the time he commented, they were last photographed together in March 2026. The actress was also referred to as his “girlfriend” in an Aug. 16 police report regarding her death, which was obtained by Page Six earlier this week.
Hickerson did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
The aspiring actor was likely referring to “Googling” his domestic violence arrests against Panettiere.
In May 2019, he was arrested for domestic violence against the actress in Los Angeles.
He was arrested again in January 2020 in Los Angeles and charged with eight counts for abusive incidents between May 2019 and January 2020.
According to court papers, he pleaded no contest in April 2021 to two felony counts of injuring a spouse/cohabitant/girlfriend/child’s parent. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail, four years of probation, 52 domestic violence classes and $500 in restitution.
Additionally, the “Nashville” actress was granted a five-year protective order against Hickerson at the time.
Hickerson was also arrested in February 2020 — on Valentine’s Day — in Jackson, Wyoming, for domestic battery and interference with a cop.
According to court papers, he allegedly punched Panettiere “with a closed fist on the right side of her face.” He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The “Heroes” star was then granted a restraining order against him in July 2020, Page Six confirmed at the time.
Hickerson even tried to erase his past. Just three days before the actress’ death, a Los Angeles judge denied his motions to expunge and reduce the charges to a misdemeanor, Page Six reported.
Panettiere and Hickerson’s tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship began in 2018.
The actress opened up about her experience with domestic abuse in her tell-all memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” which was released in May, and during her guest appearance on the “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast.
“Once [Brian] was sober, that good part of him would be back, and he would see the damage he had done, and he was devastated and apologetic,” she said on the podcast in May, calling their relationship a “dizzying” cycle.
“And it seemed so honest and genuine that I was torn. I thought back to everything I’ve done wrong in the past and the forgiveness I was shown.”
Over the weekend, authorities responded to a South Carolina Airbnb on Sunday for an “unresponsive” female in “cardiac arrest” following a suspected “overdose.”
According to the incident report obtained by Page Six, “life-saving measures were administered,” but they were “unsuccessful.” She was pronounced dead at around 2:30 p.m.
According to the autopsy report, “no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death.” The coroner is awaiting toxicology results to determine cause and manner of death.
Page Six obtained the first photos of Hickerson in South Carolina on Wednesday, three days after Panettiere’s death. He was photographed entering a car with his brother, Zach, who was reportedly the one to find the actress — while his brother was in another room of the Airbnb at the time.
An investigation into Panettiere’s death remains ongoing.
“Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” Brian’s attorney, Sloan Ellis, told TMZ on Thursday. “As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”
Panettiere is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she shares with ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko.
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