Less than a month after the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, her longtime on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson was involved in a heated altercation at a restaurant in Greenville, South Carolina, that ended with both him and his brother in handcuffs. The incident took place on the evening of September 12, 2026, at Wild Wing Cafe and quickly drew public attention after video footage circulated online.

According to accounts from people familiar with the events and video obtained by media outlets, Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach had been drinking at a table in the establishment for several hours. At some point, Brian approached the bar area, became involved in an argument with other patrons, and was seen picking up a bar stool and throwing it backward. Multiple people at the scene can be heard urging him to stop. He was then escorted outside, where the confrontation continued.

Greenville Police Department officers responded to a reported ᴀssault inside the restaurant at approximately 9:10 p.m. When they arrived, they found several people engaged in a physical dispute outside the venue. Officers detained multiple individuals, including both Hickerson brothers, while they attempted to determine what had occurred and who was responsible.

While being placed in handcuffs and seated on a curb, Brian Hickerson was recorded shouting at the officers. He repeatedly claimed that the Greenville Police Department had leaked information related to the death of his girlfriend. In the video, he can be heard saying, “GPD leaked it when my girlfriend died.” The comment referred to Hayden Panettiere, who was found unresponsive on August 16, 2026, inside a Greenville apartment complex where she had been staying. Brian and Zach Hickerson were present at the location, attempted to help, and called emergency services. Authorities have previously stated that there were no immediate signs of foul play, and the cause of her death remains under investigation.

Police determined that Zach Hickerson was highly intoxicated and began yelling profanities in a public area. As a result, he was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct and taken to the Greenville County Detention Center. Brian Hickerson was released at the scene without being charged.

The September incident adds another public chapter to a relationship that had long been marked by turbulence. Panettiere and Hickerson’s on-and-off partnership spanned several years and included prior legal issues. Hickerson had previously faced domestic violence charges stemming from incidents involving the actress. He pleaded no contest to counts of injuring a partner, served a short jail sentence, and was placed on probation with requirements that included counseling and alcohol-related programs. The pair had also been involved in a widely publicized physical confrontation with other people outside a West Hollywood H๏τel in 2022.

Panettiere, best known for her roles in the television series Heroes and Nashville, was 36 years old at the time of her death. She had spoken publicly in the past about personal struggles and about the difficulties in her relationship with Hickerson. Following her pᴀssing, her family requested privacy as they mourned.

As of the most recent reports, no additional charges have been filed against Brian Hickerson in connection with the bar incident. The Greenville Police Department confirmed the basic outline of the evening’s events in statements provided to news organizations.

Sources : People magazine, New York Daily News, USA Today