Hayden Panettiere’s ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson has reportedly been charged with domestic violence and assault.
Hickerson was charged with an eight count complaint Thursday, which included the charges for assault, domestic violence, and other felony offenses, law enforcement sources told TMZ.
Panettiere, 30, was recently granted a restraining order again Hickerson, and spoke out about the alleged abuse in a statement she posted to her Instagram account on Friday.
‘I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve,’ Panettiere wrote. ‘I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again. I’m grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life.’
Hayden Panettiere’s ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson has been charged with domestic violence and assault (pictured 2018)
In the caption, Panettiere included the number to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
‘For anyone else affected by abuse and needing support, please know that you can call 1-800-799-7233. If you’re unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 1-866-331-9474. You are not alone.’
According to court records obtained by The Blast on Tuesday, Panettiere ‘filed to register an out-of-state restraining order’ that she recently obtained against Hickerson.
Due to the out-of-state nature of the restraining order, Panettiere is asking the court to honor and actively enforce the order in Los Angeles, which is her current place of residence.
Speaking up: Panettiere, 30, was recently granted a restraining order again Hickerson, and spoke out about the alleged abuse she suffered in a statement she posted to her Instagram account on Friday
The explicit reason for Hayden’s protective order against Brian is unknown at this time.
The Heroes alum reportedly ended her relationship with Brian in June, after several incidences of alleged domestic violence.
A source close to Panettiere revealed to Us Weekly at the time of the split that Hayden was ‘in a good place’ and ‘on the path to recovery.’
The source also alleged that Hayden and Brian had not had any contact and that he had ‘moved back to his hometown in South Carolina.’
Protection: Due to the out-of-state nature of the restraining order, Panettiere is asking the court to honor and actively enforce the order in Los Angeles, which is her current place of residence; Hayden pictured in 2017
‘Friends are praying this is the end of her journey with him,’ added the insider.
On Valentine’s Day of this year, Brian was arrested for allegedly punching Hayden in the face during an argument, while the pair were in Wyoming.
Brian’s second domestic violence related arrest took place in 2019 for reportedly ‘getting into a physical fight with Hayden.’
He was charged with felony domestic violence, but, due to Hayden reportedly ‘refusing to cooperate with the prosecution,’ the charges were, eventually, dropped.
Split: The Heroes alum reportedly ended her relationship with Brian in June, after several incidences of alleged domestic violence; Hayden and Brian pictured in 2019
Mothering: Panettiere is mother to five-year-old daughter Kaya, whom she shares with ex Wladimir Klitschko, 44; Hayden and Kaya pictured on Instagram on June 10
Panettiere is mother to five-year-old daughter Kaya, whom she shares with ex Wladimir Klitschko, 44.
The former couple – who ended their lengthy engagement in 2018 – first began dating in 2009.
Hayden honored Klitschko on Father’s Day by uploading a throwback portrait of him and their daughter on Instagram.
‘Happy Father’s Day to this amazing man. You’re our champ every single day. We love you so much!!!,’ wrote Hayden, who went on to tag Wladimir in the caption.
By her side: Hayden honored Klitschko on Father’s Day by uploading a throwback portrait of him and their daughter on Instagram