Brian Hickerson, the boyfriend of the late actress Hayden Panettiere, was briefly detained by law enforcement on September 12 following an alleged incident at a Wild Wing Cafe in Greenville, South Carolina. Authorities were dispatched to the restaurant at approximately 9:10 p.m. in response to reports of an assault taking place within the establishment.
According to the Greenville Police Department, the incident involved several individuals, leading to the temporary detention of multiple patrons while the scene was assessed. While Brian Hickerson was detained at the site, he was ultimately released without being charged. His legal counsel has been contacted for comment regarding the situation.
His brother, 21-year-old Zachary Hickerson, was formally arrested at the scene. Police stated that during the inquiry, officers determined Zachary was highly intoxicated and observed him shouting profanities in a public setting. He was subsequently taken into custody for disorderly conduct and transported to the Greenville County Detention Center.
This event occurred less than a month after Hayden Panettiere, 36, died on August 16 at a local apartment complex. Brian and Zachary Hickerson were present when the actress was discovered unresponsive; they immediately contacted emergency services. While the coroner’s office has not yet confirmed a cause of death, autopsy and toxicology results are pending and may take up to three months to process.
In a statement released via his lawyer, Sloan Ellis, on August 20, Brian Hickerson noted that investigators found no signs of foul play. Ellis emphasized the importance of allowing the official investigation to reach its conclusion before further commentary is provided. Previously, in an August 21 interview with TMZ, Zachary Hickerson recounted finding Panettiere unconscious on a pull-out couch. He stated that Brian administered Narcan, and both men performed CPR while remaining on speakerphone with 911 until responders arrived.
The relationship between Panettiere and Brian Hickerson began in 2018 and was marked by reports of domestic violence. In 2020, Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony charges for injuring the actress, resulting in a 45-day jail sentence, four years of probation, and the completion of 52 domestic violence counseling sessions. Panettiere discussed these challenges in her published memoir. In the months leading up to her passing, the pair had been seen together publicly, leading to speculation regarding a potential reconciliation.
For those struggling or in crisis, resources are available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). The report also notes that officers were dispatched to the restaurant around 9:10 p.m. “in reference to a reported assault inside the restaurant. The report also notes that has reached out to his attorney for comment. The report also notes that there will be no further comment at this time, out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation. The report also notes that when I left church I called and texted both of them. The report also notes that when I didn’t reach Brian or Hayden, I just assumed maybe they fell back asleep so I drove over and went to the Airbnb,” Zachary Hickerson said. “I knocked loudly which apparently woke Brian up from a nap they were both taking on the pull out couch bed in the living room. The report also notes that we realized she was unconscious, when we went in and tried to wake Hayden up for lunch. The report also notes that the brothers “jointly performed CPR while 911 was on speaker until Fire and EMS arrived,” he said. “At that point we watched as they tried every measure possible to save her life.