Hayden Panettiere’s Mother Speaks After Daughter’s Tragic Death

Lesley Vogel, Hayden Panettiere’s mother, commented publicly for the first time following the actress’s unexpected death at age 36. Vogel, who formerly managed Panettiere’s career, criticized Brian Hickerson, Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, in an NBC News interview.

Vogel stated, “This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death and that was Brian Hickerson.” Reports indicate that both Brian Hickerson and his brother were with Panettiere in Greenville, South Carolina, when she died.

“Hayden was an amazingly talented person,” Vogel said, reflecting on her daughter’s struggles growing up in the entertainment industry. The industry is often challenging for young stars, sometimes leading them down difficult paths. Hickerson has not yet commented on the situation.

Panettiere’s mother-daughter relationship with Vogel faced challenges. Though Vogel managed her career through childhood, their business relationship ended when Panettiere was 19, and they reportedly became estranged earlier this year. Panettiere told US Weekly in May that she was open to rekindling the relationship.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have a relationship right now,” Panettiere noted. “But I’ve chosen to be brutally honest.”

The relationship between Panettiere and Brian Hickerson started in 2018 and they separated in 2022. Initial autopsy findings revealed no trauma contributing to her death. A statement from the Greenville County Coroner’s Office mentioned that the actress was found in cardiac arrest, but attempts to revive her were unsuccessful.

>The Greenville County Coroner’s Office and Greenville City Police Department are investigating her death. No signs of trauma were found in the autopsy, but the cause and manner of death are still under investigation.

Panettiere became well-known for her role in “Heroes” and had a daughter, Kaya, with her ex-fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko. Klitschko shared his grief publicly, honoring Panettiere as a significant part of his life.

“Hayden left this world far too soon,” Klitschko wrote, expressing sorrow and extending condolences to her family and fans.

In her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” released in May, Panettiere explained her decision to give Klitschko full custody of their daughter in 2018. She wanted her daughter to thrive in a supportive environment, even if it meant being apart.

“I knew how bad a place I was in,” Panettiere admitted. She prioritized her daughter’s well-being, accepting the situation’s challenges and believing they would reunite in the future.