Zach Hickerson Closes Disorderly Conduct Case With $150 Fine After Restaurant Brawl

A Quick Legal Resolution Amid a Larger Tragedy

Zach Hickerson, brother of the late actress Hayden Panettiere's boyfriend Brian Hickerson, has resolved a case that landed him behind bars earlier this month. The closure comes quickly — and quietly — in the form of a small fine, but it arrives against the backdrop of one of the most heartbreaking celebrity stories of 2026.

The 38-year-old was arrested for disorderly conduct at a Greenville, South Carolina, restaurant on September 12, and paid a $150 fine for the citation on Wednesday, September 23, according to court records reviewed by USA TODAY on September 24. The case was disposed. Hours after his arrest, Hickerson was released on personal recognizance, and court records listed the total case amount as $257.50.

What Happened at Wild Wing Café

The Hickerson brothers were among "several individuals involved in an altercation" at Wild Wing Café on September 12, with "multiple patrons" detained while the incident was investigated. Officers were dispatched to the restaurant around 9:10 p.m. The scene quickly drew public attention, given who the men are and what had happened just weeks before.

According to police, Zachary Hickerson had been "highly intoxicated" and was "yelling profanities in a public setting." Zachary was charged with disorderly conduct and booked in the county detention center. Brian Hickerson, meanwhile, "was released from the scene and not charged," the department said.

Zach Hickerson spoke out for the first time after his arrest, saying that rumors surrounding Hayden Panettiere's death were fueling attacks on him and his brother. He was spotted after being released from jail in Greenville, where he made clear he was frustrated by what he described as misinformation spreading online. An eyewitness had previously told reporters that the brothers had been heckled at the restaurant about Panettiere's death before the confrontation turned physical, and video showed Brian throwing a bar stool during the melee before police detained both brothers.

The Shadow of Hayden Panettiere's Death

Panettiere died in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16, 2026, at age 36. First responders found her in cardiac arrest at an apartment. The cause of death remains pending while the Greenville County Coroner's Office completes additional testing, and the DEA has reportedly joined the local investigation.

According to investigators, Panettiere and Brian Hickerson had flown into Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport from Los Angeles the night before her death. Hickerson told investigators that the two woke up the morning of August 16, ate cereal together while Panettiere put on makeup in the bathroom, and then he went back to sleep on a sofa bed. Hickerson was later awoken by his brother, Zach, who had arrived from Nashville to join them for lunch. After noticing she was purple in color, Hickerson administered two doses of nasal Narcan and began CPR with his brother while calling 911.

Brian Hickerson has been talking to the DEA as it looks into the actress' suspected overdose. Sources say local and federal investigators believe someone sold Panettiere drugs which might have caused her death, and that finding the dealer has become the main focus of the investigation. Panettiere's mother, Lesley Vogel, has accused Brian of being culpable in her daughter's death.

A Small Chapter Closed, Bigger Questions Remain

Zach Hickerson's court case may be resolved, but the larger investigation into how Hayden Panettiere died is far from over. A $150 fine brings one minor legal matter to an end, but it does nothing to answer the questions that have gripped the public since August. Investigators are still waiting for toxicology results to come back, which could reveal Panettiere's cause of death.

For now, both Hickerson brothers remain on the periphery of a federal investigation, scrutinized by the public and by law enforcement alike. Zach has suggested he will eventually tell his side of the story, saying "I'll clarify eventually," before explaining he was focused on returning to his life. Whether that clarification comes before or after investigators reach their own conclusions remains to be seen — and for many of Panettiere's fans, those conclusions cannot come soon enough.