Hayden Panettiere's mother speaks about daughter's death and legacy
Lesley Vogel described her reaction to Hayden Panettiere's death, expressed how she wants her remembered, and discussed their strained relationship and ongoing investigations.
Actress Hayden Panettiere died on Aug. 16 after being found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, where first responders could not revive her. Her mother, Lesley Vogel, told ABC News she wants her daughter remembered as a talented, beautiful, outgoing and intelligent woman. Vogel said she felt "numb" when she learned of the death and that the loss feels unreal.
Vogel, who and Hayden’s father Skip Panettiere divorced when she was young, also recalled that the family lost a son, Jansen, in 2023. She said their relationship had become distant in Hayden’s final months, noting that the actress had been living with her on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson at the time of her death. Police reports indicate it is unclear whether drugs or alcohol were involved, and the coroner’s office has not yet released a cause of death.
The mother described earlier tensions, including Hayden’s decision in her teens to stop being managed by Vogel and a memoir released in May that detailed personal struggles such as postpartum depression, addiction and abuse. Vogel said she had taken professional advice to limit contact with her daughter and that she later issued an ultimatum regarding Hickerson, which contributed to their estrangement.
The Greenville City Police Department is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Hickerson’s attorney declined further comment, citing the ongoing investigation and the police statement that no foul play was evident. Vogel emphasized that, despite her daughter’s public success, she believes Hayden was suffering privately and hopes the public will recognize the complexity behind her outward achievements.