Lesley Vogel, mother of actress Hayden Panettiere, sat down with NBC News for her first public interview since her daughter’s death on Sunday. Panettiere, 36, was found deceased at the Judson Mill Lofts apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, after a 911 call reported a possible cardiac arrest. The cause of death remains under investigation, though an autopsy completed Monday showed no signs of trauma that could have contributed to the fatality.
Concerns about boyfriend Brian Hickerson
Vogel said the boyfriend who was present at the time of Panettiere’s death, Brian Hickerson, has been a source of long‑standing worry for the family. She described him as “a person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time.” The heavily redacted Greenville Police Department report indicates Hickerson and his brother Zach were with Panettiere when she died, and that Hickerson did not show visible emotion until EMS declared her dead.
According to the report, Hickerson also presented police with a bag of medication Panettiere was taking at the time. Vogel noted that Hickerson’s past behavior, including a 2020 restraining order filed by Panettiere, contributed to the family’s concerns. She added that Hickerson was previously arrested in 2019 on an allegation of injuring a spouse or girlfriend, pleaded no contest in 2021, and was sentenced to four years’ probation the following year.
Family background and recent events
Vogel, who managed her daughter’s career from infancy, recalled Panettiere’s early start in television commercials at 11 months old, a soap‑opera role at age four, and her breakout in the film “Remember the Titans” when she was ten. The actress later earned two Golden Globe nominations for her work on “Nashville.”
In her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” released in May 2026, Panettiere discussed a strained relationship with her mother. Vogel said she has not spoken with her daughter since October, choosing to limit contact for “specific reasons” while still caring deeply for her.
Next steps and ongoing investigation
Vogel indicated she will cooperate with detectives to obtain more information about the circumstances surrounding the death, including why Panettiere and Hickerson were in South Carolina that night. She stopped short of launching a private investigation but left the possibility open, depending on the facts she receives.
The timing of the 911 call—1:50 p.m. ET—was also noted by Vogel as “questionable,” since it is not a typical hour for social gatherings, adding another layer of uncertainty to the case.
Family loss and legacy
Hayden Panettiere’s brother, Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023 from cardiomegaly and aortic valve complications at age 28. In 2024, Hayden spoke on the TODAY show about the impact of that loss, describing how losing a close family member “rocks your world.” Vogel expressed hope that her daughter is now at peace with her brother.
Vogel concluded by wishing her daughter had remained true to herself, acknowledging the many talents and attributes Hayden possessed. She emphasized that the family will continue to seek answers while honoring Hayden’s memory.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
