Everything to Know About Hayden Panettiere's Ex-Boyfriend: Brian Hickerson Was Arrested for Domestic Violence Before Actress' Tragic Death

Hayden Panettiere endured a turbulent and complicated relationship with her ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson before her death.

The actress began dating Hickerson in 2018 after ending her engagement to Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she welcomed their daughter, Kaya.

Though they went their separate ways roughly four years ago, Hickerson and his tumultuous past relationship with Panettiere resurfaced in the public eye following the former child star's death.

RadarOnline.com can reveal everything you need to know about Hickerson.

Hickerson moved from South Carolina to Los Angeles to pursue a career in real estate. He identified himself as the Director of Operations at Hickerson Property on a 2013 application.

He is also an aspiring actor who previously played Officer Williams in the 2017 film M.F.A.

Before Panettiere, Hickerson dated Instagram model Baskin Champion, who was previously linked to Justin Bieber following his split from Selena Gomez.

Hickerson and Panettiere's relationship began in 2018, with the pair dating on and off for four years before calling it quits for good in 2022. They remained friends despite ending their romance.

Hickerson had several run-ins with the law during his relationship with Hayden.

One of the earliest public incidents occurred in October 2018, when South Carolina police responded to a report of a domestic assault "in progress" involving Hickerson and his father, David. According to a police report, an officer saw Hickerson looking visibly upset as he chased his father, who appeared to have blood on his face, through the kitchen.

Hickerson denied attacking his father and explained the two had only argued because David "had been drinking too much." David also insisted the injuries came from a fall.

His legal troubles continued in May 2019, when Hickerson was arrested in Los Angeles following an alleged incident with Panettiere, during which he allegedly brutally beat the Nashville actress three times over two days. Prosecutors charged him with felony domestic violence, alleging that he had injured the actress. Hickerson pleaded not guilty, and the case was dismissed in September 2019 after prosecutors said they were unable to secure a key witness.

Hickerson was arrested again on Valentine's Day in February 2020 after an alleged fight while they were vacationing in Jackson, Wyo. He was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery and interfering with a police officer after allegedly punching Panettiere in the face. He later pleaded not guilty.

Just five months later, in July 2020, Hickerson was arrested in Los Angeles on eight charges tied to several alleged incidents involving Panettiere. The charges included four felony counts of injuring a spouse or cohabitant, two felony assault charges, one felony count of intimidating a witness, and a misdemeanor battery charge, per People.

He pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or cohabitant and was sentenced to 45 days in county jail, four years of probation, 52 domestic violence classes, $500 in restitution, and a five-year protective order.

Hickerson and Panettiere were involved in another public altercation outside a Los Angeles bar in March 2022, just months before they ended their relationship for good.

On the evening of August 16, a representative for Panettiere announced her death in a statement to ABC News.

"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," the statement read. "She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her -- and to the millions who watched her onscreen."

TMZ reported Panettiere and Hickerson flew from Los Angeles to the "south" on August 15, just one day before news of her death broke.

No cause of death has been publicly announced, and the circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.