Lesley Vogel has opened up about her hopes for how her late daughter, Hayden Panettiere, will be remembered following the actress’s untimely death at the age of 36. In an interview set to air on Good Morning America, Vogel spoke candidly about her daughter’s life and legacy.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/hayden-leslie-vogel-1-f398f7b85f88439b8c7717900fb3ccc7.jpg)
“I want Hayden to be remembered for the talented, beautiful, outgoing, intelligent woman she really was,” stated Vogel during her conversation with ABC News. Her remarks come in the wake of Panettiere’s tragic passing on August 16, which has shocked fans and those in the entertainment industry alike.
Panettiere was discovered deceased at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office has stated that emergency services attempted to revive her, but efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. Initial reports suggested that there had been discussions of overdose and cardiac arrest, with Narcan, a medication typically used to counteract opioid overdoses, reportedly found at the scene.
Vogel reflected on the difficulties her daughter faced as a young star in the entertainment field. “I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry — it is a struggle,” she explained. “It’s very challenging, and it’s not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path.” She expressed her heartbreak over how Panettiere appeared to have lost her way amidst the pressures of fame.
Compounding the sadness surrounding Hayden’s death is the loss of her brother, Jansen, who passed away unexpectedly in early 2023. Vogel remarked, “I just feel that she’s with her brother and they’re at peace,” highlighting a sense of relief that they are together again. Jansen had succumbed to complications from an undiagnosed enlarged heart.
In the months leading up to her death, Panettiere had addressed her complicated relationship with her mother in her memoir, *This Is Me: A Reckoning*, released in May 2026. Vogel, acknowledging their estrangement, insisted that this did not stem from a lack of love or care. “It was due to the involvement of a toxic individual who I believe led to her death,” she stated, alluding to Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson.
Vogel’s concerns about Hickerson came to the forefront following Panettiere’s death. She made it clear that she felt he had a detrimental impact on her daughter’s life. “This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death,” she said, directly naming Hickerson as someone who contributed to Hayden’s struggles.
At the time of her passing, Hickerson and his brother were present. A police report indicated that the brothers attempted to revive her before emergency services arrived. Zach, Hickerson’s brother, has since spoken out about the events that transpired that day, expressing a desire for the truth to emerge from the investigation.
Panettiere’s turbulent relationship with Hickerson was marked by numerous legal issues. In 2019 and 2020, he was arrested on charges of domestic violence, which left a deep impact on the actress. She had characterised that period of her life as “very dark and complicated,” intertwined with her ongoing battle against addiction.
As the investigation into Panettiere’s death continues, authorities have stated that no foul play has been detected. An attorney for Hickerson has reiterated the importance of allowing the investigation to proceed without interference, confirming that there were no signs of trauma found in the initial autopsy.
Following the tragic news of Panettiere’s death, her family released a heartfelt statement. “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” her father, Alan “Skip” Panettiere, expressed. He lauded her as “an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”
Amidst the ongoing investigation and the emotional fallout from Hayden’s passing, her family continues to mourn the loss of a cherished daughter and sister. As the entertainment community reflects on Panettiere’s contributions, Lesley Vogel’s desire for her daughter to be remembered for her talent and spirit stands as a poignant reminder of the complexities of life in the spotlight.
If you or someone you know is struggling with any challenges related to mental health or substance use, support is available. Reach out to a trusted individual or contact a helpline for assistance.