Brian Hickerson’s ‘frustrated’ brother Zach blames rumor mill for bar fight, arrest

Brian Hickerson‘s brother, Zach Hickerson, claimed the rumor mill regarding Hayden Panettiere’s death is to blame for his bar fight and subsequent arrest on Saturday.

“It’s just super frustrating all that we’ve been through and all the rumors that get started and then people believe them and then they attack as a result of the rumors,” he told TMZ on Sunday, following his release from jail in Greenville, South Carolina.

“That’s what pisses me off,” Zach continued before referencing misinformation online about Panettiere’s Aug. 16 passing from an apparent overdose at age 36.

He told the outlet people “fill in their own holes” about the tragedy.

Brian’s lawyer did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.

Zach was detained over the weekend for disorderly conduct after police responded to an alleged assault at Wild Wing Cafe Saturday at around 9:10 p.m.

He was transported to the Greenville County Detention Center over allegedly being “highly intoxicated” and yelling profanities, per TMZ.

While Brian was handcuffed at the scene — and yelled that “GPD leaked it when my girlfriend died,” referencing Panettiere — he was ultimately released and not charged.

He and his brother had, according to the outlet, been at the establishment drinking for hours before getting into an altercation with fellow patrons.

Five middle-aged adults allegedly heckled Brian and Zach over Panettiere’s death from another table, with the latter getting into one of the man’s faces.

During the ensuing heated incident, Brian was caught on video flinging a chair and being dragged out of the restaurant.

Brian dated Panettiere on and off from 2018 until her passing in a tumultuous romance marred by multiple domestic violence arrests. (Brian, notably, pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend in 2021.)

The “Heroes” alum detailed the alleged abuse in her “This Is Me Now” memoir, published in May, and later reconciled with Brian.

He and Zach were present when Panettiere died last month in a South Carolina Airbnb, with Brian administering Narcan as Zach called paramedics and both performing CPR.

She was ultimately pronounced dead — and although her cause of death has yet to be revealed, TMZ reported Monday the actress took one oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl.

Police found no signs of foul play at the scene, which Brian pointed out in the single instance he has spoken out via his attorney about his loss.

“Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” his lawyer added. “Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration has joined the investigation, and authorities are reportedly “zeroing in on a potential drug dealer.”

If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).