Hayden Panettiere‘s on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson was briefly detained by police officers who responded to a call about an altercation at a Greenville, S.C. bar on Saturday night (Sept. 12.)
TMZ shared that news, along with some photos. The outlet reports that police responded to calls about an “assault”, and that Hickerson and his brother Zach were among those detained during the investigation. Zach was ultimately arrested for disorderly conduct.
Read More: Who is Hayden Panettiere’s On-Again, Off-Again Boyfriend Brian Hickerson?
Video of the incident also appears to show Hickerson saying that the Greenville Police Department “leaked” the news when Panettiere died last month. Both Hickerson and Zach were present at the scene of the star’s death.
Why Was Brian Hickerson Detained By Police at a Bar?
Patron-filmed video obtained by TMZ shows a chaotic scene involving multiple people shouting at each other. At one point, a man who appears to be Brian Hickerson reaches out and slings a barstool backwards behind him.
At another point, the man appearing to be Brian is physically picked up and carried out of the bar by another person.
TMZ reports that both Brian and Zach were handcuffed outside the bar at some point after police arrived. It was during this time that Brian, who appeared to have blood on his face, yelled, “GPD leaked it when my girlfriend died.”
Brian was ultimately let go, while Zach was arrested after he reportedly began “yelling profanities.”
E! News shared a police statement claiming Zach was “highly intoxicated,” and confirming that he was arrested for disorderly conduct.
How Did Hayden Panettiere Die?
- Hayden Panettiere died on Aug. 16 at a residence in Greenville, S.C. She was 36 years old.
- First responders arrived after receiving a call about an unresponsive person in cardiac arrest. Despite advanced efforts, they were unable to revive her.
- No official cause of death has been released. 911 dispatch audio includes a male official’s voice mentioning an “overdose,” and Narcan was used at the scene.
- Toxicology results from her autopsy are pending, though a preliminary report has indicated that there were no “signs of trauma” that would have contributed to her death.
A Timeline of Hayden Panettiere’s Relationship With Brian Hickerson
Hayden Panettiere began dating Brian Hickerson in 2018, shortly after her split from fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she shares a daughter.
At the time, Panettiere was navigating a difficult personal chapter, including ceding custody of her daughter to Klitschko as she battled postpartum depression and addiction.
Read More: Remembering the Country Stars Who Died in 2026
Her relationship with Hickerson was often turbulent. He pleaded no contest on two felony domestic violence charges involving her in 2021, and was sentenced to 45 days in jail. He was also sentenced to four years of probation, 52 domestic violence classes, $500 in restitution and a five-year protective order, per People.
Panettiere would go on to describe their relationship as “abusive” and “traumatic” in her 2026 memoir, This is Me: A Reckoning. Hickerson accepted responsibility for that, telling TMZ in May, “Man, I think it speaks for itself. I got arrested for, you know, abusing her.”
Read More: Hayden Panettiere: A Timeline of Tragedy + Troubles
They reportedly split in 2022, but their relationship was on-again, off-again afterward. In his TMZ interview in 2026, Hickerson described their relationship as lasting “eight years,” and said he’d had a lot of opportunity to apologize for the way he treated the actor.
Why Did Brian Hickerson Meet With the DEA After Hayden Panettiere’s Death?
Investigators are continuing to look into Hayden Panettiere’s unexpected death. Earlier this month, People cited a source close to the investigation, who said that Brian Hickerson had met with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents.
Read More: REPORT: Hayden Panettiere’s Boyfriend Meets With DEA Investigators
TMZ has reported that investigators are searching for a person who might have allegedly sold drugs to the actor, which could have contributed to her death.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Remembering the Country Stars Who Died in 2026
So far in 2026, country fans have mourned the deaths of country legends and other large-looming figures of pop culture. Keep reading to remember the singers, musicians, actors and other notable figures we’ve lost this year.
Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak
