Hayden Panettiere's ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson was 'heckled' over her death before alleged bar brawl

Hayden Panettiere’s ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach were allegedly heckled about her death before things became heated and he was handcuffed by police.

Hickerson, 37, and his brother had been drinking at a restaurant in Greenville, South Carolina, on Saturday (12 September) when the incident broke out.

According to TMZ, a table of other customers had allegedly started bad-mouthing Hickerson and his brother over the tragic death of Panettiere, who passed away last month aged just 36.

Eyewitnesses told the outlet that around ‘five middle-aged people’ had been sitting at a nearby table and that some of the women in the group approached the Hickerson brothers’ table ‘repeatedly’.

The person said it wasn’t clear if the women were attempting to deescalate the situation.

But they say things then did escalate, after one of the men and Zach allegedly got into a confrontation that appeared to get physical.

The eyewitness told TMZ that others then got involved, a table was knocked over and glasses crashed to the floor in chaotic scenes.

TMZ reports that police later responded to the restaurant and Hickerson and Zach were both put in handcuffs.

A source told TMZ that while Hickerson was cuffed he yelled: “GPD [Greenville Police Department] leaked it when my girlfriend died,” in reference to Panettiere's death.

Hickerson was later released without being arrested, while Zach, who was ‘highly intoxicated’, according to cops, was detained for disorderly conduct and taken to Greenville County Detention Center.

“He began yelling profanities in a public setting, and as a result, he was taken into custody for disorderly conduct and transported to the Greenville County Detention Center,” police said in a statement.

Hickerson and his brother were with Panettiere when she died on Sunday 16 August.

Brian had been in an on-and-off relationship with Panettiere since 2018.

The relationship reportedly ended in 2020 after Brian was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.

According to a police report obtained by NBC, first responders found Hickerson and his brother Zach at the scene in South Carolina, with them finding Zach 'very emotional' while the emergency services tried to help Hayden.

The police report says Hickerson became visibly emotional after Panettiere was pronounced dead, he then showed police a 'bag of medication' that he said she had been taking.

Days later, Hickerson released a statement via his lawyer Sloan Ellis.

“Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” the statement which was shared to TMZ read.

“As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play.

“Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”

Zach previously told TMZ: "There are a lot of assumptions, speculations and accusations currently swirling.

"The truth will come out as the authorities complete and release additional details from the investigation. And that is important because the people who loved and adored Hayden deserve the truth."

An investigation into her death is ongoing.