The desperate effort to save Hayden Panettiere unfolded in a series of increasingly frantic moments, with a newly released 911 call capturing the panic inside her boyfriend’s apartment after she was found unconscious.
The audio shows how quickly the situation escalated, as a dispatcher guided attempts to revive the actress over the phone.
Panettiere died on August 16 from the toxic effects of multiple drugs, including fentanyl, in what was ruled an accidental death.
Hayden Panettiere’s Final Emergency Sparked Panic Before Help Arrived
The distress in the recording obtained by CBS News was immediate. Zach Hickerson, who was at the apartment with his brother, Brian Hickerson, could be heard exclaiming, “oh God, oh my God!” before explaining what had happened.
“I walked in after church to my brother and his girlfriend’s apartment and she’s unconscious,” Zach told the dispatcher. He explained that his brother had woken up, but Hayden Panettiere had not, adding that she was not breathing.
The dispatcher then asked whether they had a defibrillator, prompting Zach to question whether an apartment complex would have such equipment.
With the actress unresponsive, the brothers were instructed to begin CPR while the dispatcher guided them through the process.
Zach and Brian were told to put the phone on speaker and follow instructions, including breathing into Panettiere’s mouth and performing chest compressions.
Panettiere’s 911 Audio Captures A Frantic Plea During CPR
As the dispatcher continued giving directions, the pressure inside the apartment became more apparent.
The pair were instructed to lay Hayden Panettiere “flat on her back and remove anything from under her head,” as they tried to follow the lifesaving steps.
Then came the question that captured their desperation: “what do we do!” The plea was followed by another panicked outburst from one of the brothers, who said, “Oh my god! I know how to do this! How many times!” A shout of “come on!” could also be heard in the background.
The dispatcher kept giving instructions until emergency responders arrived and took over resuscitation efforts. Despite those efforts, they could not revive Panettiere.
Hayden Panettiere’s Ex Seeks Police Help As Missing Jewelry Raises Questions
Attention has now turned to Panettiere’s personal belongings and the steps being taken to protect what she left behind for her daughter, Kaya.
Recently, The Blast reported that the “Nashville” actress’s ex, Wladimir Klitschko, sought help from law enforcement after concerns emerged that someone might have sold some of Panettiere’s belongings to a pawn shop.
The former professional boxer, who shared daughter Kaya with the late star, raised the issue while trying to protect their child’s inheritance.
According to the report, he also asked a court for authority to protect the inheritance, naming Kaya as the estate’s sole beneficiary.
It was revealed that Klitschko was concerned about jewelry and other personal items that could no longer be accounted for. The development followed reports that Panettiere’s engagement ring from Klitschko had gone missing.
More From The Blast
Panettiere’s Missing $500,000 Ring Raised Concerns Among Loved Ones
In another report a few days earlier, The Blast stated that Hayden Panettiere had kept the ring long after her relationship with Klitschko ended in 2018. However, the jewelry reportedly worth approximately $500,000, could not be found by the actress’s family and friends.
A source revealed, “Hayden’s engagement ring from Wlad that she’s held onto for all this time is missing.” The insider added, “Friends and family think that someone who was with her in her final days took it when they were pawning her things.”
The ring was reportedly a Montblanc design that Panettiere helped shape herself. In a 2013 interview with E! News, she recalled her involvement in the process, saying, “I told them my idea over time and tweaking things here and there, it came to fruition.”
The report also revisited allegations made by Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, who claimed that Brian had pawned some of her daughter’s belongings, including a vintage guitar.
Brian Hickerson’s First Public Response Followed Turmoil With Brother Zach
Questions surrounding Panettiere’s missing belongings added to the scrutiny surrounding the people in her final days. Brian, meanwhile, had also faced public attention over his response to her death and a series of incidents involving his brother, Zach.
He eventually addressed the tragedy briefly when approached by a photographer at a gas station in Greenville, South Carolina.
According to The Blast, he was asked how he was coping and replied, “How do you think I’m doing?” After the photographer offered condolences, Brian responded, “Appreciate it — that’s all I got for you, man.”
The brief exchange came amid a series of incidents involving Brian and Zach. The brothers had been involved in a confrontation at Wild Wing Cafe in Greenville, where other patrons allegedly taunted them about Panettiere’s death.
Video reportedly showed Brian throwing a barstool before officers restrained him. While handcuffed, he shouted, “GPD leaked it when my girlfriend died.” Zach was taken into custody on a disorderly conduct charge.
