Brian Hickerson, the boyfriend of the late actress Hayden Panettiere, was involved in a physical altercation at a South Carolina bar approximately three weeks after Panettiere's death. The incident occurred on September 12 at Wild Wing Café in Greenville.
Greenville Police responded to a report of an assault around 9:10 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found multiple individuals involved and detained several patrons. Hickerson and his brother, Zachary Hickerson, were identified as participants. According to police, Zachary was heavily intoxicated and was arrested for disorderly conduct.
Video footage circulating online captured a handcuffed and bloody Brian Hickerson outside the restaurant. In the video, he can be heard telling his brother, "GPD leaked it when my girlfriend died," referring to Panettiere's death and the Greenville Police Department. Another video obtained by TMZ showed Hickerson throwing a bar stool before being escorted from the premises.
Hickerson was released from the scene without being charged, according to the Greenville Police Department.
Panettiere, 36, was found dead in a Greenville residence on August 16. Hickerson and his brother called 911 after discovering her unresponsive. According to a police report, Hickerson provided authorities with a bag of medication Panettiere had been taking. The report indicated Zachary appeared emotional during resuscitation efforts, while Brian did not show emotion until Panettiere was pronounced deceased.
Hickerson reportedly traveled with Panettiere from Los Angeles the day before she was found unresponsive. The couple had a history of breaking up and reconciling, most recently rekindling their relationship in 2023. Hickerson's brother confirmed to police that Brian was in a relationship with Panettiere at the time of her death.
Preliminary autopsy results have not indicated any signs of trauma contributing to Panettiere's death, the Greenville County Coroner's Office confirmed. However, the investigation into her death is ongoing, with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reportedly assisting law enforcement.
Representatives for Panettiere's family and for Hickerson did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Panettiere's mother, Lesley Vogel, had previously spoken about her daughter's struggles in the months leading up to her death. A statement from Panettiere's representatives also condemned public speculation, urging those with relevant information to contact law enforcement directly.