According to the latest report by The New York Times, late actress Hayden Panettiere gave chilling instructions to keep her abusive on-again-off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson away during her Manhattan book tour in May. The actress, best known for her role in NBC's superhero drama series Heroes, wrote a memoir titled This is Me: A Reckoning, which was released in May 2026.The New York Times' latest report claims that Hayden Panettiere gave clear instructions that her ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson could not attend her book tour. This detail adds controversy to the 36-year-old actress' tragic death, as police officials reported that Hickerson was present at the Greenville, South Carolina, residence when Panettiere was found ''unresponsive'' on August 16. The actress was pronounced dead after resuscitation efforts by first responders were unsuccessful.An initial autopsy found no signs of trauma and a preliminary investigation has ruled out foul play in the actress' sudden death.More on this in our story.Hayden Panettiere reportedly took drastic steps to keep ex-boyfriend away before death View this post on Instagram Instagram PostAccording to the newspaper, Hayden Panettiere was accompanied by private security on her visit to Barnes & Noble during her book tour, with one clear instruction: ''to keep [Hickerson] away.”Despite the extreme instructions, it was alleged that the ex-couple had reconnected before the tragedy, after they were spotted together in March at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Reportedly, the couple had flown from Los Angeles to South Carolina a day before the actress' death.Panettiere's relationship with Brian Hickerson, which likely began in 2018, was marked by controversy, allegations and the latter's arrest on eight domestic violence charges. The Heroes actress had opened up about her tumultuous relationship with Hickerson, including her struggle with alcohol and op*o*d addiction, in many interviews.After a brief split, which came after Hickerson's arrest over an alleged domestic violence case, the couple was back together in 2020. However, an incident in February 2020 led to another split, resulting in Hickerson's arrest. Hayden Panettiere's ex-boyfriend was sentenced to 45 days in jail, 5 years of probation, 52 domestic violence classes and $500 in restitution.While the actress publicly accepted that her relationship with Hickerson was abusive, she eventually reconnected with him in 2022. In an interview with People Magazine, the actress even claimed that she had forgiven Hickerson, who had allegedly made amends and gone to treatment for his past behaviour.What has Hayden Panettiere's mother said about her daughter's physical condition?In her latest statement to The New York Times, Panettiere's mother, Lesley Vogel, has shed light on the late actress' physical condition before her death.Vogel said that the actress suffered from a mysterious pain and feelings of ''pins and needles'' in her legs before her death, which even affected her ability to walk. Hayden Panettiere's mother also revealed that she spent time with her daughter in Los Angeles a year ago “when she was in pain. She was afraid. She couldn’t physically function properly.” Vogel also revealed that she accompanied her daughter to doctors and an acupuncturist in an effort to uncover the cause of her unexplained leg pain.For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.