Brian Hickerson was placed in handcuffs following a reported disturbance at a Greenville, South Carolina, restaurant just weeks after the death of his longtime on-again, off-again girlfriend, Hayden Panettiere.
Hickerson, 37, was detained on Saturday after police responded to Wild Wing Cafe for a reported “assault,” according to Page Six. Police said they later released him and did not arrest him.
A source told TMZ that Brian and his brother, Zach Hickerson, had been drinking at the restaurant for hours when Brian allegedly became involved in an argument at the bar and that he then threw a bar stool backward.
Footage obtained by the outlet appears to show Brian being carried outside while a bartender shouts, “Let him go!” Another clip shared online shows Brian handcuffed and seated on a curb as officers stand nearby. During the exchange, he referenced Panettiere’s August 16 death.
EXCLUSIVE: Brian Hickerson had a wild night with his brother, Zach, at a South Carolina bar … and it ended with the brothers in handcuffs and Brian claiming that police leaked details about the death of his actress girlfriend, Hayden Panettiere. pic.twitter.com/J6WNHtWD6z
— TMZ (@TMZ) September 13, 2026
“GPD leaked it when my girlfriend died,” Brian yelled.
Zach was arrested for disorderly conduct after police alleged he was “highly intoxicated” and yelling profanities, according to the reports.
The brothers were also together at the Greenville home where Panettiere, 36, was found unresponsive. Zach previously said Brian gave the actress Narcan while the brothers performed CPR before first responders arrived.
Hayden Panettiere passed away less than a month ago, and this guy is already in handcuffs outside a bar throwing a public tantrum.
— Desiree (@DesireeAmerica4) September 13, 2026
Some people are just walking tornadoes of chaos. The woman had her whole life cut short, federal and local investigators are still sorting through…
Panettiere and Brian began dating in 2018. Their relationship included previous domestic violence cases involving Brian.
Investigators believe her death may be related to a fentanyl-laced pill.
