Hayden Panettiere's boyfriend Brian Hickerson handcuffed amid death investigation

Brian Hickerson was handcuffed by police following an alleged bar altercation in South Carolina involving his brother.

Brian Hickerson, the boyfriend of late actress Hayden Panettiere, was handcuffed by police following an alleged altercation at a bar in Greenville, South Carolina.

According to police, officers responded to Wild Wing Cafe in Greenville on Saturday night after receiving a report of an assault. Authorities said Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were involved in an altercation with other people outside the bar.

🚨BREAKING / UPDATE: Newly surfaced footage shows Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, apparently being detained last night.

​In the video, Hickerson can be heard shouting: "GPD leaked it when my girlfriend died!" referencing the Greenville Police Department, which is… pic.twitter.com/1wbrnwHrsz

— Amy Leigh (@IAmyLeigh) September 13, 2026

Sources told TMZ that Brian had been drinking with his brother for several hours before approaching the bar to speak with other patrons. Video from the incident reportedly shows Brian involved in an argument before someone lifts him into the air. He was later carried out of the restaurant while a bartender was heard asking others to let him go.

Brian was handcuffed by responding officers at one point but was not arrested and was later released. During the incident, he reportedly made a comment alleging that Greenville police had leaked information when his girlfriend died.

Zach was arrested for disorderly conduct after police said he was highly intoxicated and began yelling profanities. He was taken to jail.

The incident comes less than a month after Panettiere's death. Zach previously said he discovered the actress unconscious at a Greenville apartment on August 16 and that Brian administered Narcan, but she could not be revived.

Panettiere's cause and manner of death have not yet been publicly released. Law enforcement sources have also said the Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating her death.

Brian and Zach's attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.