HAYDEN PANETTIERE’S BOYFRIEND WAS HANDCUFFED AFTER A BAR ALTERCATION — THEN HE STARTED SHOUTING ABOUT HER DEATH

Brian Hickerson was detained after police responded to an alleged disturbance at a South Carolina bar, where video reportedly shows a heated confrontation involving a bar stool.

Brian Hickerson, the on-and-off boyfriend of late actress Hayden Panettiere, was handcuffed by police after an alleged altercation at a South Carolina bar — just weeks after Panettiere’s death.

The incident happened Saturday night, Sept. 12, at Wild Wing Cafe in Greenville, where police responded to a report of an assault.

Hickerson was detained at the scene but was not arrested or charged. His brother, Zach Hickerson, was arrested for disorderly conduct.

THE NIGHT QUICKLY ESCALATED

According to reports, Brian and Zach had been drinking at the restaurant before tensions erupted.

Video obtained by TMZ and reported by Page Six appears to show Brian involved in a confrontation inside the bar. At one point, he allegedly picked up a bar stool and threw it backward as the situation became increasingly chaotic.

Police arrived at approximately 9:10 p.m. after receiving a report of an assault.

Several people were detained while officers investigated what had happened.

Brian was eventually taken outside and placed in handcuffs, but police later released him without charges.

Zach, meanwhile, was described by police as highly intoxicated and was taken into custody after allegedly yelling profanities in public.

THEN BRIAN STARTED TALKING ABOUT HAYDEN

The situation took another unexpected turn while Brian was sitting handcuffed outside the restaurant.

In video circulated by TMZ and reported by multiple outlets, Hickerson can be heard making accusations about the Greenville Police Department and Panettiere’s death.

At one point, he reportedly shouted:

“GPD leaked it when my girlfriend died.”

The apparent reference was to Panettiere, who died in Greenville on Aug. 16 at age 36.

His comments immediately drew renewed attention because the circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death remain under investigation.

WHAT HAPPENED TO HAYDEN PANETTIERE?

Panettiere was found unresponsive in Greenville on Aug. 16.

According to reports, Hickerson and his brother were present when emergency responders arrived. Zach previously told authorities that Brian administered Narcan and attempted CPR before paramedics took over.

An autopsy reportedly found no signs of trauma, while toxicology results have not yet been released. Authorities have not announced a final cause of death.

Brian has not been named a suspect in Panettiere’s death.

People previously reported that he met with the Drug Enforcement Administration as investigators continued examining the circumstances surrounding the actress’ death.

A RELATIONSHIP THAT HAD ALREADY MADE HEADLINES

Hickerson and Panettiere had a turbulent on-and-off relationship that had previously made headlines because of domestic-violence cases.

Hickerson pleaded no contest in 2021 to two felony counts involving injury to a partner and served jail time.

The pair later appeared to reconnect, despite their complicated history.

Panettiere’s death has now brought renewed scrutiny to their relationship, particularly because Hickerson was present when she was found unresponsive.

Still, authorities have not publicly accused him of causing her death, and the investigation remains ongoing.

BRIAN WAS RELEASED — BUT THE QUESTIONS REMAIN

By the end of the night, Brian Hickerson was released without charges.

His brother remained in custody on the disorderly-conduct allegation and was later released on bond.

But the images of Brian in handcuffs — followed by his emotional comments about Hayden’s death — have added another dramatic chapter to a story that has already attracted intense public attention.

For now, one thing remains clear:

Brian Hickerson was not charged in the bar incident, and he has not been named a suspect in Hayden Panettiere’s death.

The investigation into what happened to the actress continues, with toxicology results still awaited.