Hayden Panettiere Looked 'Beaten Up' on Gurney Years Before Death, Neighbour Claims

Former West Hollywood neighbour Mia Terrazas claims she saw Hayden Panettiere being transported on a gurney and appearing 'beaten up' years before her recent death. Terrazas made the allegations in interviews following the actress' death, describing two incidents she says she witnessed at Panettiere's former apartment complex.

Hayden Panettiere was found unresponsive on 16 August inside a South Carolina apartment. She was staying there with her on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach, according to a police report. Authorities have not determined her cause or manner of death, pending toxicology and further testing.

An autopsy conducted by the Greenville County Coroner's Office found no signs of trauma contributing to her death, while authorities have said there is currently no indication of foul play. The sudden loss of the prominent actress prompted an outpouring of tributes from former colleagues and family members.

The actress rose to international prominence through roles in television series including Heroes and Nashville. Away from the screen, Panettiere had publicly discussed difficult periods in her life, including addiction and an abusive relationship.

Former Neighbour Describes Two Alleged Incidents

The late actress had a highly publicised and ccomplicated history with Hickerson. Their relationship was marked by domestic violence allegations and legal proceedings, and Panettiere later wrote about abuse she said she experienced during the relationship in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning.

Hickerson was arrested multiple times in connection with alleged domestic violence involving Panettiere and later served jail time after pleading no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend.

The pair had an on-and-off relationship in subsequent years and were together in South Carolina shortly before Panettiere's death, according to recent reporting.

Now, Terrazas has described what she says she witnessed while living near Panettiere in West Hollywood. Terrazas said she lived one door away from the actress and recalled two occasions on which firefighters took Panettiere from the building on a gurney.

According to Terrazas' account, Panettiere appeared to have bruising and red marks on her body. The neighbour interpreted the apparent injuries as signs that the actress may have been physically assaulted, although that conclusion has not been independently established.

'It appeared that she had been beaten up,' Terrazas said, according to reports. 'It wasn't apparent to me that it could have been anything else,' she added.

Terrazas' description represents her own observation and interpretation. IBTimes UK cannot independently establish what caused any injuries Panettiere may have had during those incidents or who, if anyone, was responsible.

Witness Recalls Arguments at Apartment Complex

The two alleged incidents occurred on 29 July 2023 and 16 January 2024, according to Terrazas. Her daughter, Vileena Koneru, reportedly said she also witnessed the second incident.

Terrazas also claimed she heard arguments involving Panettiere and Hickerson at the apartment complex. She recalled one alleged confrontation in a shared elevator during which she said she heard the Heroes star telling Hickerson to leave her alone.

'Just leave me alone! Just stop!' the actress allegedly shouted, according to Terrazas' recollection.

These accounts concern alleged incidents several years before Panettiere's death and do not establish what happened on 16 August 2026.

Authorities investigating her death have reported no signs of trauma or foul play, and the official cause and manner of death remain pending.

Local law enforcement officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Panettiere's death while awaiting toxicology results. The Greenville County Coroner's Office has said those results could take several weeks.

The historical allegations surrounding Panettiere and Hickerson have attracted renewed attention following her death, but they should not be treated as evidence about its cause.

Hickerson has not been accused by authorities of causing Panettiere's death, and investigators have said they have found no indication of foul play.