Zach Hickerson has hinted “rumours” surrounding Hayden Panettiere’s death led to him and his brother Brian Hickerson getting embroiled in a bar fight over the weekend.
Zach Hickerson has hinted “rumours” surrounding Hayden Panettiere’s death led to him and his brother Brian Hickerson getting embroiled in a bar fight.
The siblings – who were present when the Heroes actress passed away last month aged 36 – were taken in by police on Saturday (12.09.26) at the Wild Wing Cafe in Greenville, South Carolina, following reports of an assault and, after being released from jail, Zach expressed his frustration about stories spreading online.
Asked what happened during the bar fight, Zach told TMZ: “It’s just super frustrating all that we’ve been through and all the rumours that get started and then people believe them and then they attack as a result of the rumours. That’s what p***** me off.”
At another point, Zach complained about information being posted online, saying people “fill in their own holes” and then attack others based on what they assume happened.
He didn’t want to say what he felt people were getting wrong.
But he added: “I’ll clarify eventually.”
Zach also didn’t answer when asked how his brother was holding up in the wake of the death of his on/off girlfriend.
Sources previously told the outlet that Zach and Brian – who was previously jailed for domestic violence incidents involving the late Nashville star – were being heckled at the venue over Hayden’s death before the row turned physical.
Brian was seen throwing a bar stool but was ultimately released without being arrested, and Zach was booked for disorderly conduct.
Hayden’s death remains under investigation and toxicology results have not yet been released.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office previously said there were no signs of trauma, while the official cause of death has yet to be determined.
Brian recently met with the US Drug Enforcement Administration as part of the investigation, according to People, which reported authorities were following leads concerning a possible drug supplier. Brian has not been named as a suspect.
Brian and Zach were both present at the Greenville property where Hayden was found unresponsive.
According to the police incident report, Zach told officers Brian had been sleeping in another room when Hayden was discovered unresponsive in a chair.
Zach said Brian administered Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, and that CPR was performed while they communicated with emergency dispatchers.
Emergency services responded to the Greenville property after receiving a report of a woman in cardiac arrest.
Hayden was pronounced dead at the scene after attempts to save her.
Authorities said there were no signs of trauma.
Hayden and Brian began an on-off relationship in 2018.
Brian was arrested in connection with domestic violence allegations during their relationship and in 2021 pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend.
He subsequently served jail time and was ordered to attend domestic violence classes.
Zach Hickerson shares frustration over ‘rumours’ following arrest
