Brian Hickerson deletes Instagram account after backlash over Hayden Panettiere's death

Brian Hickerson, Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend, has deactivated or deleted his Instagram account after receiving backlash following the death of the 'Heroes' and 'Nashville' actress.

Hickerson deleted his account on Monday after a large number of people commented on his last Instagram post, blaming him for the death of Hayden Panettiere.

“He needs to be investigated,” commented user. “Why did you erase every picture of Hayden Panettiere,” wrote one fan. Another wrote, “What did you do to her.”

However, some users defended him, saying Brian Hickerson had nothing to with Panettiere’s death.

Hayden’s fans turned against Hickerson due to their tumultuous past, which included alleged incidents of abuse.

The two-time Golden Globe nominee was found unresponsive at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, and pronounced dead at the scene, the city's police department said in a statement. 

The 36-year-old's death was still under investigation.

According to reports, Panettiere and Hickerson were first romantically linked in 2018.

Page Six reported that in May 2019, Hickerson was arrested for domestic violence due to an alleged incident with the “Bring It On: All or Nothing” star.

The outlet reported that at the time, Panettiere and Hickerson were drinking in Hollywood the night before the physical altercation at their home.

After police interviewed the couple, they took Hickerson into custody for felony domestic violence for allegedly starting the fight.