EXCLUSIVE: HAYDEN PANETTIERE’S BOYFRIEND LAWYERS UP AS POLICE EXAMINE HIS PHONE AND COMPUTER

Hello, hello, hello…

Hayden Panettiere’s death investigation is increasingly focused on the final hours of the actress’s life — including the role of her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson.

Sources tell Naughty But Nice that Hickerson has retained an attorney and is no longer fully cooperating with investigators as police examine his phone and computer for communications and other digital evidence.

“Once a lawyer gets involved, everything changes,” a source tells Naughty But Nice. “He is no longer just answering questions. His attorney is going to control what he says and when he says it.”

Panettiere, 36, was found unresponsive Sunday at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina. Her autopsy found no signs of trauma, and authorities have not announced a cause or manner of death. Toxicology results remain pending.

Hickerson was asleep in another room when Panettiere went into cardiac arrest. His brother, Zach Hickerson, discovered her sitting in a chair in the living room.

Police documents also say Brian showed officers a “bag of medication” Panettiere had been taking.

“They want the phone because it doesn’t forget,” the source says. “It can help establish who he was talking to, where he was and what was happening before Hayden was found.”

A second source adds: “Police are looking closely at the boyfriend because he was part of Hayden’s final hours. That does not mean they have concluded he did anything wrong.”

Hickerson has a documented history of domestic-violence-related legal trouble involving Panettiere. However, authorities have not accused him of causing or contributing to her death. There are currently no announced arrests or official findings of foul play. The investigation remains ongoing.

Cheers

Rob Shuter

And remember… if you’re going to be naughty, you’ve got to be nice. 💋