Hayden Panettiere's ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson was denied his request to reduce two past felony charges just three days before her tragic passing, court documents obtained by Us reveal. This development raises questions about what might have been going through Panettiere's mind as she navigated her complicated history with Hickerson in the final days leading up to her death.

Prosecution objected to Hickerson's motions to expunge and to reduce the charges to a misdemeanor during a hearing on Thursday, August 13. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Judge Olivia Rosales denied Hickerson's motion. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office confirmed this information to entertainment outlets, who initially broke the news.

Hickerson, 36, has had a long history of run-ins with the law regarding allegations involving Panettiere between 2019 and 2020. In 2021, he pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend following an arrest and eight-count criminal indictment.

A year prior to these incidents, in 2019, Hickerson allegedly punched Panettiere in the face, earning him a charge of domestic violence. Although the charges were dropped the following year, Panettiere suffered significant emotional distress due to their tumultuous relationship.

In 2018, the former couple started dating. However, it wasn't until July 20 that we learn Hickerson attempted to expunge and reduce the felony charges against him, according to entertainment outlets. He reportedly claimed in his petition for dismissal that he had fulfilled the conditions of his probation.

Panettiere herself spoke candidly to Us about dealing with abusive relationships. She stated, "Getting an abusive person out of your life is like trying to rip a weed out that is so entangled into your life." Every time you pull it out, another weed pops back up and you're like, 'I thought I killed this.' They always manage to find a way to slither back into your life, even if you're an incredibly strong-willed person."

Following Panettiere's death, sources close to her revealed they were "worried" about her after reconnecting with Hickerson. Friends expressed concern over how being around him again could lead her down a dark path. As one insider shared, "That relationship and association had led her down a dark path in the past, so her friends and inner circle were worried for her. There were concerns and her friends really hoped she was doing OK."

On Sunday, August 16, at age 36, Panettiere passed away. A 911 call reported cardiac arrest at approximately 1:51 PM, which prompted first responders and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel to initiate advanced cardiac life support measures. Unfortunately, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM.

According to a statement from the Greenville County Coroner's Office, the decedent has been identified as Hayden Leslie Panettiere, 36, of California. Her autopsy showed no signs of trauma contributing to her death. The cause and manner remain pending further investigation and completion of additional studies.