Police in Greenville, South Carolina, arrested Brian Hickerson, the boyfriend of late actress Hayden Panettiere, and his brother Zach after a disturbance at a restaurant on Saturday night. The information was provided to Newsweek by the local police department.
Panettiere, known for her work in Heroes and Nashville, passed away on August 16. She was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville. Despite lifesaving efforts by first responders, she was pronounced dead the same day. Authorities reported no immediate evidence of foul play. The investigation into the cause and manner of her death is ongoing.
Zach and Brian Hickerson were both present at the home when Panettiere died. Newsweek reached out to Brian Hickerson’s attorney for comments but received no immediate response.
Restaurant Incident
Officers responded to an assault report at Wild Wing Café on Woodruff Road at approximately 9:10 p.m. Upon arrival, they found multiple individuals involved in a brawl. Several people were detained during the investigation, including Brian and Zach Hickerson. The police report noted that Zach was heavily intoxicated and shouted profanities publicly, leading to his arrest on a disorderly conduct charge. He was taken to the Greenville County Detention Center, while Brian Hickerson was released without charges.
A video circulated by TMZ shows a man, believed to be Zach, throwing a chair inside the bar as a bar employee attempted to calm him. The footage also shows individuals escorting him out of the premises. In the recording, Brian Hickerson allegedly mentions, “GPD leaked it when my girlfriend died,” referencing Panettiere.
About Brian Hickerson
Brian Hickerson is a real estate agent based in California. His relationship with Panettiere began in 2018 after she ended things with Wladimir Klitschko. The pair had an on-off relationship, which attracted public scrutiny due to various legal issues. Hickerson faced domestic violence-related charges during their relationship and pled no contest to two felony charges of injuring a partner in 2021. This led to a jail sentence, probation, domestic violence classes, and a protective order. Though their relationship was rocky, Panettiere remarked that they later became friends. Hickerson came into the public eye again because he was with her at her time of death.
Ongoing Death Investigation
The investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death continues. While no immediate signs of foul play were found, authorities are analyzing the circumstances around her passing, awaiting further evidence like toxicology results. Reports indicate that federal and local investigators are looking into whether drugs might have contributed to her death. They have even met with Brian Hickerson during this process.
So far, no arrests, charges, or findings have linked anyone to her death. Dispatch audio obtained by the media suggested a potential overdose and cardiac arrest, but no final cause has been announced.