Hayden Panettiere’s ex Brian Hickerson bizarrely hid under table barefoot during 2025 arrest

Brian Hickerson was photographed barefoot and beneath a table moments before his Los Angeles arrest, one year before his ex Hayden Panettiere’s death.

The late actress’ on-again, off-again boyfriend kept his back to the wall at Barney’s Beanery in West Hollywood, California, in the bizarre snap, obtained by TMZ on Monday.

He clutched the table above his head with both hands.

Brian Hickerson was photographed hiding under a table in a bizarre photo from his August 2025 arrest. TMZ
Hayden Panettiere’s ex was barefoot in the Barney’s Beanery snap. TMZ

While Hickerson was not wearing shoes, one of his sneakers could be seen on the floor beside him ahead of his August 2025 detainment.

A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy was present in the shot, standing beside the table and looking down at Hickerson.

The former actor was taken into custody last year due to erratic behavior in the pub while seemingly under the influence, according to TMZ.

Sources told the outlet he broke a glass at the bar and threw a shoe at a fellow patron.

Hickerson’s reaction to an employee trying to remove him from the establishment led to the cops being called, per the insiders, and the authorities allegedly also had a tough time getting him out.

Hickerson (pictured above in February 2020) clutched the table above him as a police officer stood beside him in the picture, obtained by TMZ on Monday. / SplashNews.com
He had allegedly broken a glass and thrown one of his shoes at a fellow patron. / SplashNews.com

Not only was Hickerson not banned from Barney’s Beanery, according to the owner, but charges weren’t filed against him by prosecutors due to insufficient evidence.

Later that same week, however, Hickerson was arrested for allegedly being under the influence of a controlled substance — but that case was dismissed after he entered a diversion program and completed 10 Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

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

Hickerson made headlines for multiple arrests during his romance with Panettiere over alleged instances of domestic violence.

He pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend in 2021 and was sentenced to 45 days in county jail and four years of probation.

Hickerson (pictured above in September 2021) was not charged with a crime and was not banned from the establishment. HEDO / BACKGRID
However, after being detained days later, he entered a diversion program and completed 10 Narcotics Anonymous meetings. / SplashNews.com

Additionally, he was ordered to complete 52 domestic violence classes, and Panettiere was granted a five-year restraining order.

Panettiere wrote about the abusive relationship in her “This Is Me: A Reckoning” memoir, which hit bookshelves in May.

By the time the “Nashville” alum died of a suspected overdose at age 36 three months later, she had reconnected with Hickerson — but, we hear, kept some of her pals “in the dark.”

“If you’ve gone through some dark times with people, and spoken about it, then there can be shame if you get back together with that same person,” a source explained to Page Six.

The “Heroes” alum was with Hickerson when she passed away in South Carolina on Aug. 16 but authorities confirmed last month there were no signs of foul play.

Panettiere (pictured above in January 2019) dated Hickerson on and off from 2018 until her death last month at age 36 of a suspected overdose. GC Images
Hickerson was with the actress at the time of her Aug. 16 passing, with cops confirming there were no signs of foul play at the scene. / SplashNews.com

Brian’s attorney pointed this out in his first statement on the tragedy, adding, “Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed. … Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”

Panettiere’s cause of death has yet to be revealed at this time.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, notably, has joined the investigation into her passing.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.

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).

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