Zach Hickerson, brother of Hayden Panettiere's ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson, has spoken out after being arrested for disorderly conduct following a bar brawl in Greenville, South Carolina, on Saturday. Zach told TMZ that online speculation and rumours about Panettiere's death on 16 August had fuelled hostility towards him and his brother, ultimately contributing to the altercation. An eyewitness said the pair had been heckled by other patrons about the actress's death shortly before the fight broke out.

The confrontation reportedly began at the Wild Wing Cafe, where the brothers had been drinking for several hours before a group of around five middle-aged patrons at a nearby table began confronting them repeatedly. Zach was said to have confronted one of the men at the bar, sparking a physical altercation that saw a table knocked over and glasses thrown to the floor. Brian, 37, was seen throwing a bar stool and was briefly handcuffed by police, though he avoided arrest, while Zach was taken into custody and later released. Zach said he was frustrated by online rumours surrounding Panettiere's death and indicated he would eventually address the misinformation.