Hayden Panettiere’s mother breaks silence after actress’s death at 36

Hayden Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, has spoken publicly about her daughter’s death, saying she hopes the actress will be remembered for her talent, intelligence and outgoing personality.

Panettiere, known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville and Ice Princess, died on August 16 at age 36 after she was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. First responders attempted to resuscitate her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Speaking to ABC News, Vogel described her reaction to the news as overwhelming. “I was numb. I was just numb,” she said, adding that she is still struggling to accept that her daughter is gone.

Vogel also addressed criticism over how she is mourning Panettiere, saying that people who do not know the family have no right to dictate how she grieves.

The actress’s death came after years of public discussion surrounding her personal struggles. In her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, Panettiere wrote about postpartum depression, addiction and recovery, domestic abuse and her experiences as a child star.

Vogel also discussed her daughter’s complicated final years, including her relationship with Brian Hickerson. She said Panettiere had recognised that the relationship was unhealthy but ultimately reunited with him. Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend in 2021.

According to a police report obtained by ABC News, Panettiere was with Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, when she died. Authorities have said there were no signs of foul play.

The Greenville City Police Department is investigating, with the Drug Enforcement Administration assisting. Panettiere’s official cause and manner of death remain pending additional studies.

Vogel said she wants her daughter remembered not only for her career but also as someone who was privately suffering despite her public success.