Brian Hickerson is once again making headlines after a bar brawl. Brian and his brother, Zach, were caught on video having a physical altercation with patrons at a bar that reportedly had to do with late actress Hayden Panettiere.
Both brothers were detained, but only Zach was charged. Now, Zach is speaking out about the incident, claiming people are attacking him and his brother over lies and misinformation that spread online after Panettiere’s death.
Brian and Zach Hickerson were detained by authorities following a bar fight that erupted at the Wild Wing Cafe in Greenville, South Carolina. An eyewitness alleged that the altercation ensued after the brothers exchanged words with other patrons about Hayden Panettiere.
Zach and and an unnamed individual allegedly grabbed at each other, while Brian reportedly threw bar stool as other guests attempted to break up the fight, as noted by The Blast.
Authorities arrived at the scene, and the Hickerson brothers were handcuffed. A video clip surfaced showing Brian sitting on the ground with blood on his face. He could be heard telling officers, “GPD leaked it when my girlfriend died,” referring to the Greenville Police Department.
Zach Hickerson Speaks Out Following His Arrest
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Zach Hickerson is speaking out for the first time since his arrest following that wild South Carolina bar fight … and he says rumors surrounding Hayden Panettiere’s death are fueling attacks on him and his brother.🎥 BACKGRID pic.twitter.com/AmPYKWo5kV— TMZ (@TMZ) September 14, 2026
Brian and Zach were both detained, and the former was released at the scene. Zach, meanwhile, was taken into police custody and was formally charged with disorderly conduct. He was released from the detention center after posting bond.
Zach was spotted on his phone sitting on a bench following his release, and TMZ caught up with him. While he did not explicitly say what started the brawl, he did hint at what may have caused it.
“It’s just 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,” Zach explained. When asked if he wanted to clarify rumors, he refused to elaborate and said he just wanted to get back to his life.
Zach And Brian Hickerson’s Statements Following Hayden Panettiere’s Death
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Both Zach and Brian were at the scene where Panettiere was declared dead on August 16. Brian released an official statement though his attorney, stressing that the medical examiner found no evidence of foul play in the actress’ death and to “allow the investigation to proceed.”
Zach, on the other hand, shared a more detailed account of his experience that day. Per The Blast, he said he had plans with his brother and Panettiere but could not reach them. He went to the apartment and woke his brother, and that’s was when they found Panettiere unconscious.
Like Brian, Zach implored people to stop speculating about Panettiere’s death and spreading misinformation “until the facts can be released from the investigation.”
Brian Hickerson Reportedly Met With The DEA
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The investigation on Panettiere’s death is ongoing, while the official results of her autopsy remain pending. According to The Blast, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has joined the probe due to the circumstances surrounding the actress death.
Based on the 911 dispatch recording, paramedics responded to a suspected overdose, and Narcan, an emergency medication to reverse an opioid overdose, was also found at the scene. In his statement, Zach confirmed that Brian administered Narcan to Panettiere.
Brian has reportedly met with the DEA, and the organization is reportedly “zeroing in on a potential drug dealer” amid their investigation, per Page Six.
Hayden Panetierre’s Mother Spoke Out Against Brian Hickerson
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Panettiere’s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, has made her opinions known about Brian, referring to him as a “toxic” person. Vogel said that part of the reason why she had not been in communication with her daughter was her continued association with Brian.
Vogel gave her daughter an ultimatum, saying that she could no longer be in her life if she welcomed Brian back, but Panettiere ultimately chose to reunite with him. Vogel is also questioning Brian’s account of the actress’ death and alleges it’s “full of holes.”
Panettiere’s official cause of death has not been released. The full autopsy and toxicology results are expected to be completed sometime in October or November.
