INSIDE HAYDEN’S ABUSE NIGHTMARE

Shocking police testimony claims Hayden Panettiere was beaten three times in two days

The testimony was almost too difficult to listen to. On July 10, LAPD Officer Amber Findley told a judge that she and another cop found a bruised and swollen Hayden Panettiere in an upstairs bedroom when they responded to a call at the former Nashville star’s LA home on May 2 at about 1:45 a.m. According to Findley, Hayden, 29, alleged that her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, 30, had struck her three times on the face with an open palm, ultimately causing her nose to bleed. The actress also had a bite mark on her left arm, bruising on both arms, scratches on her back and bruising on her neck. The officer’s testimony described injuries Hayden allegedly received from three beatings over the course of two days.

Now, Brian — who started dating Hayden last August — is facing a felony domestic violence charge that a judge has refused to dismiss. If convicted (he’s pleaded not guilty), he could get up to four years in prison. During the July 10 hearing, the judge denied the motion to dismiss criminal charges against Brian — who’s been released on bail — and declined to consider a lesser misdemeanor charge. Hayden hasn’t spoken out publicly about the incident, but her family said in an emotional statement on July 11, “We are hopeful that the judge makes the right decision. It’s an important message in terms of domestic violence for all women.”

ESCAPE FROM HELL

Shockingly, on May 13, less than two weeks after the incident, Hayden and Brian were photographed holding hands as they ran errands in LA. But 10 days later, a judge intervened and issued a protective order against Brian, preventing him from coming within 100 yards of Hayden. “The nightmare was over,” says a source. “She escaped from hell.”

But has she really? While lawyers for the actress insist Hayden is not seeing Brian anymore, widespread reports maintain they are still a couple. “Everyone is concerned about her,” says a second source.

Alcohol use has added yet another layer of worry to the drama. The night of the May altercation — which came six months after police responded to an assault and battery call involving Brian and his father at the elder Hickerson’s South Carolina home — both Hayden and Brian were drinking, the wouldbe actor’s attorney confirmed in court on

July 10. When asked by Deputy District Attorney Lisa Kassabian if Hayden appeared intoxicated when she was interviewing her, Findley said she was “jumping around” on her answers, and that she’d had to ask the actress the same questions several times. The officer added Hayden did understand the questions and readily provided answers. Then last August, an eyewitness said Hayden was vomiting in public after bar-hopping in LA with Brian.

Hayden has had to deal with other difficult issues as well. She checked into rehab in 2015 amid a battle with postpartum depression following the birth of daughter Kaya, 4, whose dad is retired boxer Wladimir Klitschko, 43 (see box). “She’s been through a lot the last four years,” says the second source. “No one should have to go through what she’s gone through. But she is strong and will come out the other side of this.” ◼