GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Brian Hickerson, the on-and-off boyfriend of late actress Hayden Panettiere, was handcuffed by police after a confrontation at a Greenville bar Saturday night — and was later heard accusing officers of leaking information about Panettiere’s death.

The incident happened on September 12, 2026, at Wild Wing Cafe in Greenville, where police responded to a report of an alleged assault.

Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were among several people involved in the disturbance. Video circulating from the scene shows Brian being restrained and placed in handcuffs outside the restaurant. He was later released without charges. His brother was arrested for disorderly conduct after police said he was highly intoxicated and behaving aggressively.

The late-night confrontation comes less than a month after Panettiere was found unresponsive at a Greenville residence and died at age 36.

Brian Hickerson Was Handcuffed but Released
According to police information cited by multiple outlets, officers arrived at Wild Wing Cafe at approximately 9:10 p.m. following a reported altercation.

Witness accounts and video footage indicate that an argument escalated inside the establishment before the people involved were removed from the bar.

Hickerson was among those detained by responding officers.

Although he was visibly handcuffed, authorities did not charge him in connection with the incident and subsequently released him. His brother Zach was taken into custody on a disorderly-conduct charge.

The incident has nonetheless drawn renewed attention because of Hickerson’s connection to Panettiere and the ongoing investigation into her death.

He Shouted About Panettiere While in Handcuffs
A video from the encounter shows Hickerson sitting on a curb while officers remained nearby.

During the confrontation, he could be heard making accusations involving the Greenville Police Department and Panettiere’s death.

Reports say Hickerson shouted that the police department had “leaked” information when his girlfriend died.

The circumstances behind that allegation have not been established publicly.

Authorities have not said that Greenville police improperly released confidential information, and there is no indication that Hickerson’s statements during the bar incident changed the status of the death investigation.

Panettiere’s Death Remains Under Investigation
Panettiere was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville on August 16, 2026, just days before her 37th birthday.

Emergency responders were called after a report of an unresponsive woman in cardiac arrest. Attempts to revive her were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination reportedly found no signs of physical trauma.

However, officials have not yet released a final cause or manner of death because toxicology testing remains pending.

Authorities have also said that there was no immediate evidence of foul play, although the investigation has continued.

DEA Joins the Investigation
The case took a major turn shortly after Panettiere’s death when the Drug Enforcement Administration became involved.

Investigators are examining whether controlled substances or medications may have played a role in her death and have been pursuing information about where any drugs involved may have originated.

Recent reporting indicates that investigators are also looking into a possible drug supplier.

The investigation remains active, and no final conclusion about the cause of Panettiere’s death has been announced.

Hickerson Has Met With the DEA
One of the most significant recent developments is that Hickerson has reportedly met with DEA investigators as authorities continue gathering information.

People reported that investigators have also interviewed other individuals connected to the case while waiting for toxicology results.

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

His presence at the residence where she was found and his relationship with her have nevertheless placed him under intense public scrutiny.

Hickerson Was Present When Panettiere Was Found
According to reporting based on the police incident report, Hickerson and his brother were at the residence when Panettiere was found unresponsive.

Zach reportedly told authorities that Brian attempted to help Panettiere by administering Narcan and performing CPR before emergency responders arrived.

Hickerson also reportedly provided police with a bag containing medications belonging to Panettiere. Some details contained in the police report remain redacted.

Authorities have not publicly established whether any medication contributed to Panettiere’s death.

That question is expected to depend heavily on the pending toxicology results.

A Troubled Relationship Has Returned to the Spotlight
Hickerson and Panettiere had a highly turbulent relationship dating back several years.

Panettiere previously spoke publicly about experiencing abuse during their relationship, while Hickerson faced criminal proceedings stemming from domestic-violence incidents involving her.

In 2021, he pleaded no contest to two felony counts involving an intimate partner and served jail time.

Despite their troubled history, the pair were reportedly back in contact before Panettiere’s death.

Their renewed relationship has prompted questions from people close to the actress, particularly in light of her long-documented struggles with substance abuse.

However, none of those circumstances by themselves establish that Hickerson played a role in her death.

Panettiere’s Family Has Raised Serious Questions
Panettiere’s death has also triggered criticism from members of her family.

Her mother, Lesley Vogel, has publicly expressed anger over Hickerson’s role in her daughter’s life and has questioned circumstances surrounding the actress’s final days.

Other reporting has similarly focused on the history of the relationship and the concerns previously raised by people close to Panettiere.

Hickerson’s attorney has urged people not to rush to conclusions while authorities continue investigating.

The actress’s representatives have likewise asked for privacy and cautioned against speculation.

The Bar Incident Adds Another Chapter
The September 12 confrontation does not appear to have directly changed the criminal investigation into Panettiere’s death.

Instead, it has put Hickerson back in the public spotlight at a moment when investigators are still trying to establish what happened to the actress.

The fact that he was handcuffed but released without charges is significant.

Being detained does not mean Hickerson was arrested or accused of wrongdoing in the bar incident.

Meanwhile, Zach Hickerson faces a separate disorderly-conduct case stemming from the incident.

What Happens Next?
The biggest unanswered question remains the same: What caused Hayden Panettiere’s death?

Authorities are still waiting for toxicology results, while federal and local investigators continue examining possible drug-related leads.

Hickerson’s meeting with the DEA suggests investigators are continuing to gather information from people who were close to Panettiere in the period immediately before her death.

But there has been no public finding that Hickerson caused Panettiere’s death, and he has not been named a suspect.

Latest confirmed status — September 14, 2026
As of September 14, 2026, Brian Hickerson has been released after being briefly handcuffed during an alleged altercation at Wild Wing Cafe in Greenville. He was not charged in that incident. His brother Zach was arrested for disorderly conduct.

Separately, the investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s August 16 death remains active. The autopsy reportedly found no trauma, but the official cause and manner of death have not yet been finalized because toxicology results remain pending. The DEA is involved in the investigation, and Hickerson has reportedly spoken with federal investigators.

For now, authorities have not publicly accused Hickerson of causing Panettiere’s death.

The investigation continues.

Sources
The Sun: Original report concerning Hickerson being handcuffed after the Greenville bar incident.