Brian Hickerson, the on-and-off boyfriend of late actress Hayden Panettiere, was handcuffed and removed from a South Carolina bar following an altercation on September 12. While Hickerson was released without charges, his brother Zach was arrested for disorderly conduct amid an ongoing investigation into Panettiere’s death.
The altercation unfolded on a Saturday evening at the Wild Wing Cafe in Greenville, South Carolina. According to law enforcement statements and eyewitness video footage, Greenville Police Department officers responded to the establishment at approximately 9:10 p.m. following reports of an assault inside the restaurant.
Barroom Brawl and Police Response at Wild Wing Cafe
Brian and his brother Zach Hickerson had been drinking at the establishment for hours before the situation escalated. Witnesses and media reports indicate that Brian approached other patrons when a heated argument broke out.
Video footage from the scene captured Brian picking up a bar stool and flinging it backward during the confrontation. Seconds later, footage showed him being physically lifted and carried out of the restaurant by another person while a bartender shouted for them to let him go.
Officers arrived to find multiple individuals involved in an altercation outside the building and placed several patrons in handcuffs while sorting out the incident. Police stated that Brian Hickerson was ultimately released at the scene and faced no criminal charges in connection with the bar fight.
Zachary Hickerson Arrested on Disorderly Conduct Charges
While Brian avoided arrest, his brother’s night ended behind bars. Police determined that Zach Hickerson was highly intoxicated and began shouting profanities in a public setting as officers investigated the disturbance.
Authorities transported Zach to the Greenville County Detention Center on a charge of disorderly conduct.
Shouts on the Curb and Accusations Against the Police Department
While sitting in handcuffs on the curb outside the restaurant, Brian Hickerson directed his frustration at local law enforcement. Captured on video, he yelled accusations regarding the investigation into his late partner’s death.
Greenville police officials noted that Brian’s allegation against the department has not been substantiated. Furthermore, law enforcement confirmed that the bar incident is entirely separate from the ongoing investigation into Panettiere’s passing.
The Ongoing Death Investigation and Federal DEA Involvement
The bar altercation occurred roughly a month after Hayden Panettiere was found dead at age 36 inside a Greenville residence on August 16. Both Brian and Zach Hickerson were present at the residence when emergency responders arrived following a 911 call.
According to a police report, Zach Hickerson was very emotional during resuscitative efforts and told police that Brian had administered Narcan—a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses—while they communicated with dispatchers. The report noted that Brian did not become emotional until the actress was declared deceased.
Federal and local authorities have since widened their scope regarding the tragedy. Law enforcement sources confirmed that the Drug Enforcement Administration has been contacted and is assisting with the investigation, pursuing leads involving a possible drug supplier. Preliminary autopsy results from the Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed no signs of physical trauma contributed to Panettiere’s death, while toxicology reports remain pending.
