'This person in her life...': Hayden Panettiere’s mom Lesley Vogel breaks silence on daughter’s death at 36

Hayden Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, has spoken publicly for the first time about her daughter’s sudden death at 36, amid reports of a suspected fatal heart attack, while criticizing the actress’ on-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson. Vogel expressed concerns about Hickerson and described efforts by the family to keep him away from the actress. Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, died in Greenville, South Carolina. Her death has prompted renewed attention on her personal life and relationships. Authorities have not yet established an official cause of death, and toxicology results are reportedly pending. Vogel’s comments offer the family’s perspective as they mourn Panettiere's untimely demise.

Vogel, 70, has criticized Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend, Hickerson, 37, who was reportedly with the actress when she died on Sunday. A newly released police report reportedly indicates that authorities found Hickerson and his brother Zach at the scene as they investigated Panettiere’s suspected overdose. Panettiere and Hickerson had a tumultuous relationship that began in 2018 and continued intermittently through 2022. Their time together was marked by domestic violence allegations, arrests and legal troubles. Hickerson was convicted of abusing Panettiere and served time in jail as a result. Despite their troubled history, the pair appeared to have reconnected in recent months and were reportedly seen spending time together again.



"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," Vogel told NBC News as quoted by Daily Mail.

"There is a lot of history in the past that Brian has enabled Hayden many times and this is why her father and I had been concerned for a long time about him."

"Young people who grow up in the entertainment industry - it is a struggle and it’s a very challenging industry and it’s not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path. I think it becomes very difficult to be true to yourself, and I think Hayden sadly lost her way, and I wish it were different. I wish she had stayed true to herself because she had many incredible attributes," she further said.


Vogel said Panettiere and Hickerson were still together when the actress died, adding that she had 'always known' the two remained in a relationship. The mother became quite emotional while speaking about the death of her son, Jansen, who died in 2023 at the age of 28. Fighting back tears, she said she found comfort in believing that Hayden is now reunited with her brother and that the two are finally at peace.

Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were present during Panettiere’s final moments at the Judson Mill Lofts, according to a newly released Greenville Police Department report. An officer said Zach appeared 'very emotional' as paramedics performed CPR, reported Daily Mail. Hickerson reportedly showed little emotion until Panettiere was pronounced dead. He then allegedly directed officers to a bag of medication Panettiere had been taking, which was kept inside her temporary apartment.