Zach Hickerson Breaks Silence After Arrest Following Bar Fight Over Hayden Panettiere Rumors
Zach Hickerson, brother of Hayden Panettiere’s on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson, spoke out on Sunday, September 13, following his arrest for alleged disorderly conduct after a bar altercation in Greenville, South Carolina, according to reporting by TMZ. The incident followed online scrutiny and heckling directed at the brothers regarding the August 16 death of the 36-year-old actress.
Arrest and Aftermath in Greenville
According to a spokesperson from the Greenville Police Department, officers responded to an altercation at a local establishment where Zach Hickerson and his 37-year-old brother Brian Hickerson were present. TMZ reported that eyewitnesses stated the brothers were being heckled over Panettiere’s death before the situation escalated. Video footage published by TMZ showed Brian Hickerson allegedly throwing a barstool during the melee.
Police detained both brothers at the scene. While Brian Hickerson was released without charges, Zach Hickerson was booked for alleged disorderly conduct and later released on bond, per jail records viewed by Us. Speaking to TMZ outside the Greenville County Detention Centre on September 13, Zach Hickerson expressed frustration over the public reaction.
It’s super frustrating, all that we’ve been through and all the rumors that get started and then people believe them, and then they attack, as a result of the rumors. That’s what p***es me off.
Zach Hickerson to TMZ–>
When asked to clarify details of the altercation or how his brother was managing, Zach Hickerson declined to comment further, stating he was attempting to retrieve his car and return to his daily life. Representatives for Brian Hickerson have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.
Context Surrounding Hayden Panettiere’s Death
The confrontation in South Carolina follows the sudden death of Panettiere, who was found unresponsive at a residence in the state on August 16. According to police reports and statements given to Us by Zach Hickerson on August 21, the brothers were present at the home when they discovered the actress unresponsive before lunch and immediately contacted emergency services. An autopsy later revealed no signs of trauma, and the Greenville Police Department confirmed that the preliminary investigation found no evidence of foul play.
Brian Hickerson’s attorney, Sloan Ellis, issued a statement on August 20 emphasizing the ongoing nature of the inquiry.
Hayden’s death remains under investigation, and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed. As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. No additional statements will be provided at this time, considering the ongoing investigation and out of consideration for Hayden’s family and friends.
Sloan Ellis–>
Brian Hickerson and Panettiere had a heavily publicized on-off relationship between 2018 and 2020. Court records cited by Daily Mail show that Brian Hickerson pleaded no contest in April 2021 to charges stemming from a May 2019 domestic violence incident involving the actress, resulting in a 45-day jail sentence and four years of probation. Panettiere also detailed aspects of the relationship in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, published three months prior to her death. Federal agents subsequently executed a search warrant at Panettiere’s former West Hollywood residence on August 25, according to a witness account provided to Us.