Zach Hickerson, the brother of Hayden Panettiere‘s on-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, broke his silence after his arrest for an alleged bar altercation in South Carolina.
“It’s super frustrating. All that we’ve been through and all the rumors that get started, and then people believe them,” Zach told TMZ on Sunday, September 13, while sitting on a bench in front of the Greenville County Detention Center. “And then they attack as a result of the rumors. That’s what pisses me off.”
Us confirmed via a spokesperson for the Greenville Police Department one day prior that Zach was arrested for disorderly conduct. He was later released on bond, per jail records viewed by Us. Brian, 37, was briefly detained as well after allegedly throwing a barstool, according to the spokesperson, but he was released at the scene without any charges.
During Zach’s interview with TMZ, he was asked whether he wanted to “clarify” any details from the alleged altercation, to which he refused. “I’m just trying to go get my car and go back to my life,” he told the outlet.
After being asked how Brian, who dated Panettiere on and off since 2018, was “holding up” following the actress’ August 16 death, Zach remained silent while scrolling on his phone. (A 2020 domestic violence incident between Brian and Panettiere in Wyoming resulted in the couple breaking off their relationship; however, Brian and Zach were both at the scene of the actress’ death at the age of 36.)
Us has reached out to representatives for Brian for comment.
TMZ reported over the weekend that an eyewitness saw the Hickerson brothers “being heckled” inside the bar “over Hayden’s death,” which allegedly sparked the altercation. The outlet published a video from the incident that seemingly showed Brian throwing a barstool prior to authorities arriving on the scene.
Panettiere died inside a Greenville, South Carolina, residence. Her autopsy found “no signs of trauma,” and a police report obtained by Us at the time confirmed that the Hickersons had been present at the scene of her death. Her cause of death remains under investigation.
“It is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” Brian’s lawyer Sloan Ellis told Us in a statement on August 20. “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 spoke to TMZ on August 21, sharing details into his and his brother’s experience. “When we went in and tried to wake Hayden up for lunch, we realized she was unconscious,” he told the outlet at the time. “I immediately called 911, and Brian gave her Narcan. We then jointly performed CPR while 911 was on speaker until Fire and EMS arrived. At that point, we watched as they tried every measure possible to save her life.” (Narcan, also known as Naloxone nasal spray, is a medication that “treats narcotic drug overdose,” according to the Cleveland Clinic.)
Panettiere had travelled to South Carolina from her Los Angeles home prior to her death.
A witness who was inside Panettiere’s former West Hollywood building exclusively told Us on August 26 that more than six federal agents entered the actress’ residence one night prior. The onlooker said the agents had a warrant to search the premises.
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