Brian Hickerson faced disturbing accusations from bar patrons in Greenville, South Carolina, this past weekend, with strangers blaming him for the death of his girlfriend, actress Hayden Panettiere. The confrontation preceded a heated altercation that resulted in the arrest of Hickerson's brother on disorderly conduct charges.
According to sources close to the brothers speaking to TMZ, Zach Hickerson had encouraged Brian to leave their home for the evening, hoping to lift his spirits during an intensely difficult period of mourning. Brian has lost approximately 40 pounds while grieving Panettiere's death, the sources indicated.
The brothers ventured to a local restaurant for what was intended as a quiet evening watching a game. During their time there, they discussed Panettiere, sources told the outlet. However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when other patrons at the establishment began directing harassment toward the pair.
"You killed her. You probably beat her to death," someone at the bar told Brian Hickerson, according to sources who spoke to TMZ.
Video footage obtained by TMZ captured the brothers engaged in a tense exchange with other bar patrons in Greenville. The situation escalated to the point that law enforcement was summoned to the scene.
Police detained Brian Hickerson but did not place him under arrest. His brother Zach, however, was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge. Authorities stated that Zach was highly intoxicated and shouting profanities in public at the time of his arrest.
Both brothers categorically deny any involvement in Panettiere's death. Brian and Zach discovered the actress unresponsive, but neither has been designated as a suspect in the ongoing investigation. No charges have been filed against either brother in connection with her death.
Sources close to Brian indicated the situation has been particularly agonizing for him, as he contends with both the profound loss of Panettiere and the public accusations that have followed. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the actress's death continues, with authorities yet to release additional details.
The weekend incident in Greenville underscores the intense scrutiny and speculation surrounding Panettiere's death, even as law enforcement works to determine what occurred. For Brian Hickerson, the public harassment represents an additional burden during what sources describe as an already devastating period of grief.