Brian Hickerson reacts to Hayden Panettiere's death amid bar altercation

After a bar confrontation in Greenville that left Brian Hickerson with an apparent injury by his left eye, he was briefly handcuffed by police and then released without charges. While seated outside the police station, Hickerson answered a photographer’s condolences and remarked, “How do you think I’m doing?” He later posted a video on X in which he mentioned the police “leaked it when my girlfriend died,” referring to Hayden Panettiere.

Police reports indicate his brother Zach Hickerson, who was highly intoxicated, shouted profanities and was taken into custody for disorderly conduct. Hickerson’s attorney previously urged respect for the ongoing investigation into Panettiere’s death and declined further comment. The actor’s sister confirmed that Brian was staying at his grandmother Betty Ellison’s house, located about five miles from the apartment where Panettiere was found dead at age 36.