Shocking Photos: Hayden Panettiere Holds Hands With Boyfriend Brian's Brother!
The troubled actress cozies up to hunky sibling of accused abuser Hickerson.
Sept. 11 2019, Published 11:41 a.m. ET
Say what?!
Hayden Panettiere was caught holding hands with her bad news boyfriend Brian Hickerson’s brother, Zach, In Touch exclusively revealed in shocking new photos.
The troubled Nashville actress, 30 — who as RadarOnline.com first reported, is now living in New York City — appeared carefree as she cozied up to the South Carolina-based pastor downtown in the Big Apple on September 4.
"They were walking hand-in-hand, talking and laughing together," an eyewitness told In Touch.
“She was jumping up and down making funny faces, and he was flexing his muscles and laughing. They looked happy together."
The bizarre pairing comes as Brian faces a felony domestic violence charge for allegedly beating his famous girlfriend in a May 2 incident.
A responding officer testified Hayden suffered bruises on her arms and eyelids, and swelling on her face.
Amid the case, a judge forbade Brian from having any contact with Hayden in a restraining order.
With high-powered attorney Shawn Holley by his side, a jury trial begins in Los Angeles court on September 24.
However, it seems the now New York-based star has grown very close to her troubled man’s brother in the meantime.
For more on the shocking outing, scroll through RadarOnline.com’s gallery.
Not Together
Though they looked like a couple, a Hickerson family source insisted to RadarOnline.com that Hayden and Zach are “just friends.”
Best Friends?
“They’re just very friendly,” the source said.
Innocent Meeting
An insider told In Touch that Zach was in town for a job interview, so he met up with brand-new New Yorker Hayden.
Holy Man
Zach founded the Acts 321 church in Greenville, South Carolina, where the Hickerson brothers were raised.
Romance Still On
An insider insisted to In Touch that Brian and Hayden are still together despite the restraining order.
Legal Trouble
It's hard on Brian that he can't be in public with Hayden. He loves her," the insider said. "Brian says that he and Hayden have not broken up. They have never broken up."
Harsh Penalties
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Hayden’s family hopes Brian gets jail time in the case.
Healing
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“They believe the only way to help him is deep therapy to deal with the demons of his past that lead him to drink and be violent,” a source said.
Broken Family
Hayden has not worked since her Nashville gig ended, and her 4-year-old daughter, Kaya, lives primarily with her dad, Wladimir Klitschko, in the Ukraine.
Secret Struggles
Troubled Hayden spent two stints in treatment for postpartum depression soon after her daughter’s birth.
