Hayden Panettiere’s ex-boyfriend ‘understands snub from her memorial’

Brian Hickerson is said to understand why he has reportedly been left off the guest list for Hayden Panettiere’s celebration of life, with the actress’ on-off boyfriend also apparently still struggling to come to terms with her death.

Brian, 37, and his brother Zach Hickerson, 38, have not been invited to Saturday’s (19.09.26) private memorial at a church in Malibu, California, according to TMZ.

About 150 of Hayden’s relatives, friends and former colleagues are expected to attend the service, which comes just over a month after the Nashville and Heroes actor died aged 36 in Greenville, South Carolina, on 16 August.

Sources close to the brothers told TMZ Brian and Zach recognised the sensitivity surrounding the service and were not challenging the organisers’ decision to exclude them.

The sources added the brothers hoped the gathering would be a “beautiful celebration of Hayden, her life and her legacy”.

TMZ reported both remained in shock over Hayden’s death, with Brian said to be having a particularly difficult time adjusting to life without her.

Sources told the outlet Brian had lost about 40lb since Hayden died and had struggled to regain a “sense of normalcy”. They said he still experienced moments when he expected Hayden to telephone him and hoped events would somehow prove to have been a “horrible dream”.

Brian and Zach have maintained they had nothing to do with Hayden’s death.

TMZ reported Brian and Zach were present at the property and attempts were made to revive her.

Her official cause of death has not been announced and toxicology results remain pending.

Reports citing unnamed law-enforcement sources have alleged investigators believe Hayden may have taken a black-market oxycodone pill containing fentanyl.

Hayden’s representative has firmly pushed back against media speculation regarding the actress’ cause of death.

Her passing prompted tributes from former colleagues, including her Scream co-star Courteney Cox, who recently remembered her during an appearance at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Courteney, who appeared with Hayden in Scream 4 and Scream VI, described her as “a really wonderful actor”, adding: “The last time I worked with her we had a great time. She was really fun and happy and smart, and it's really sad. It’s obviously horrible.”