GREENSVILLE — Police in Greenville say actor Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, was briefly detained after an altercation at a downtown restaurant Saturday night, following which his brother, Zach Hickerson, was taken into custody for disorderly conduct.
The Greenville Police Department said officers responded to the Wild Wing Café around 9:10 p.m. Sept. 12 after a report of an assault inside the restaurant. In a statement provided to USA TODAY on Sept. 13, police said “several individuals” were involved in the incident and that multiple patrons were detained while officers investigated.
What police say happened
During the on-scene investigation, officers determined that Zach Hickerson was highly intoxicated and yelling profanities in public, the police statement said. He was arrested for disorderly conduct and transported to the Greenville County Detention Center. Brian Hickerson was released at the scene and was not charged.
The department did not provide additional details about what led to the disturbance, whether any injuries were reported or whether the alleged assault allegation involved any of the Hickersons directly.
Context: connection to Panettiere’s death
The incident comes nearly a month after Panettiere, 36, was found unresponsive inside an apartment complex in South Carolina on Aug. 16. A police report previously obtained by USA TODAY says Brian and Zach Hickerson discovered her unresponsive and called 911. The coroner’s office has not released a cause of death; officials have said autopsy and toxicology results could take up to three months.
Because federal and local privacy and investigative protocols restrict what can be released during active inquiries, law enforcement has not publicly linked the incident at Wild Wing Café to the investigation into Panettiere’s death.
Reaction from Zach Hickerson
Paparazzi video obtained by TMZ and shared on Sept. 13 appeared to show Zach Hickerson outside the Greenville jail after his release. When asked how he was coping, he criticized rumors and how they spread online. He said he would provide more details later but declined to describe what led to his arrest.
“This is the problem with y'all putting stuff on the internet. People fill in their own holes, and they want to attack people for no reason,”
He went on to call the flow of unverified information “super frustrating” given what he described as the family’s recent experiences. Zach said he would clarify events at a later time.
What comes next
Authorities have not indicated any further charges stemming from the restaurant incident. USA TODAY reported it reached out to an attorney for Brian Hickerson for comment; a response was not included in the police release. The coroner’s office continues to process autopsy and toxicology results related to Panettiere.
Local residents and patrons at downtown dining establishments said Saturday night activity was otherwise typical for the area, with police presence limited to the response at the restaurant.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug. 16 | Hayden Panettiere found unresponsive in a South Carolina apartment complex; Brian and Zach Hickerson reportedly called 911. |
| Aug. 20 | Brian Hickerson released an initial statement, according to prior reporting. |
| Sept. 12 | Officers responded to Wild Wing Café after a reported assault; multiple patrons detained during investigation. |
| Sept. 13 | Greenville Police issued a statement about the incident; Zach Hickerson released from jail and criticized rumors. |
Practical information for the public
- If you witnessed the Sept. 12 incident or have information, contact the Greenville Police Department’s non-emergency line to speak with investigators.
- Autopsy and toxicology results in cases like Panettiere’s can take weeks to months; the coroner’s office is the official source for cause-of-death determinations.
- Anyone seeking support following traumatic events can consult local victim assistance programs through Greenville County resources.
As this situation develops, law enforcement and medical authorities are the primary sources for verified updates. WE NEWS will continue to follow the story and report new information as it becomes available.
— State Correspondent
