HAYDEN PANETTIERE’S BOYFRIEND BRIAN HICKERSON HANDCUFFED AFTER ALLEGED BAR ALTERCATION — THEN HE SHOUTED ABOUT HER DEATH

Weeks after Hayden Panettiere’s death, her on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson was caught on video in handcuffs outside a South Carolina bar — where he appeared to accuse police of leaking information about the actress’s death.

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Brian Hickerson, the on-and-off boyfriend of late actress Hayden Panettiere, was handcuffed by police following an alleged altercation at a South Carolina bar Saturday night.

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

Hickerson was detained while officers investigated the situation, but he was ultimately released without being arrested or charged. His brother, Zach Hickerson, was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge after police determined he was highly intoxicated and became verbally aggressive.

BRIAN HICKERSON CAUGHT IN HANDCUFFS

Video from the scene shows Hickerson sitting on the ground outside the restaurant as officers place his hands behind his back and handcuff him.

During the encounter, Hickerson repeatedly spoke about Panettiere, who died on August 16 at the age of 36.

In footage reported by PEOPLE and other outlets, Hickerson can be heard saying:

“GPD leaked it when my girlfriend died.”

It remains unclear exactly what information Hickerson was referring to or what prompted the accusation.

WHAT HAPPENED INSIDE THE BAR?

According to reports cited by TMZ, Hickerson and his brother had been drinking at the restaurant for several hours before tensions escalated.

An eyewitness account reported by TMZ said another group at the restaurant recognized the brothers and allegedly began heckling them about Panettiere’s death.

Video obtained by TMZ reportedly shows Hickerson involved in an argument and throwing a bar stool backward.

Another clip appears to show a man physically removing Hickerson from the establishment as people shouted for him to stop.

Police were subsequently called to the restaurant.

Hickerson was detained, but authorities ultimately released him without charges.

His brother Zach was taken to the Greenville County Detention Center after police said he was highly intoxicated and had been yelling profanities.

HAYDEN PANETTIERE’S DEATH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION

The timing of the incident has drawn additional attention because it comes less than a month after Panettiere’s death.

The actress, known for “Heroes” and “Nashville,” was found unresponsive in Greenville on August 16.

Hickerson and his brother were present at the residence when authorities arrived.

According to PEOPLE, Panettiere’s autopsy found no signs of trauma, while toxicology results are still pending. Her cause and manner of death have not been publicly finalized.

Hickerson has not been identified as a suspect in Panettiere’s death.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.

A TROUBLED HISTORY

Hickerson and Panettiere had a highly publicized, on-and-off relationship that included previous domestic violence cases.

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

Their complicated history has brought renewed scrutiny to Hickerson following Panettiere’s death.

However, the latest bar incident does not itself establish any connection between Hickerson and the actress’s death.

NO CHARGES AGAINST BRIAN

Despite the dramatic footage of Hickerson being placed in handcuffs, authorities did not arrest or charge him in connection with the bar incident.

His brother Zach was the one taken into custody.

The incident nevertheless adds another unsettling chapter to the weeks following Panettiere’s death — particularly because Hickerson was captured on camera publicly speaking about her while officers restrained him.

For now, the biggest unanswered question remains the same:

What happened to Hayden Panettiere — and what will toxicology results reveal?

Her death investigation remains ongoing.