Brian Hickerson, who dated Hayden Panettiere on and off from 2018 to 2020, was detained Saturday after an alleged altercation at a bar in Greenville, South Carolina. Police told TMZ that Hickerson allegedly threw a barstool and was released hours later, while his brother Zach Hickerson was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge. The incident happened roughly a month after Panettiere was found dead in August at age 36.
Panettiere’s cause of death has not been publicly revealed, and the investigation remains open. Reports note that Brian and Zach were both present at the scene when she died, and a police account described Zach as emotional while EMS worked on her. Hickerson has previously faced a domestic violence case connected to Panettiere that ended with a suspended jail sentence.
The family’s statement called the past month a time of profound shock and grief, which is worth remembering while this story circulates. If you or someone you know needs support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233 and 988 handles mental health and substance use calls and texts.
Do you think police reports from a death scene should be made public, or does that cross a line for grieving families?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.