Hayden Panettiere's mother and boyfriend omitted from private Malibu memorial

Hayden Panettiere's private memorial is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19 at a Malibu church, with an estimated 150 attendees that include family, friends, former colleagues and other Hollywood figures. Sources say her mother, Lesley Vogel, and her on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, were not on the guest list, and Hickerson's brother Zach, who was present when Panettiere was found unresponsive, was also excluded.

The ceremony will take place at a location the actress favored for its ocean views. Her father, Skip Panettiere, is expected to be present.

Hickerson and Panettiere had a tumultuous relationship dating back to 2018, involving domestic-violence incidents that led to Hickerson pleading no contest to felony charges in 2021. He served jail time, probation and was subject to a five-year restraining order. Despite their history, Hickerson was with Panettiere in South Carolina when she was found unresponsive on Aug. 16, and his brother Zach was also there. Neither has been charged in connection with her death, and the official cause remains under investigation.

According to sources close to the brothers, they understand the decision not to invite them and are not contesting it, hoping the service honors Panettiere's life. Reports indicate Hickerson is coping with her death, and both brothers were recently involved in a bar altercation in Greenville, where Hickerson was detained but not arrested and Zach was cited for disorderly conduct.

Vogel and Panettiere had a strained relationship in the months before her death. Vogel told Good Morning America that she had stayed with her daughter for several weeks out of concern for the relationship with Hickerson, but Panettiere ultimately chose to remain with him, leading to a personal rift.

The memorial will be a private celebration of Panettiere's life and legacy, attended by those closest to her.