Lesley Vogel, mother of actress Hayden Panettiere, gave her first public interview since her daughter’s death in a conversation with NBC News. Vogel said she had been worried for years about Panettiere’s on‑and‑off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his family, describing them as a “person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time.”
Details of the incident
Panettiere was found dead on Sunday afternoon at the Judson Mill Lofts apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, after a 911 call reported a possible cardiac arrest. An autopsy completed Monday found no signs of trauma that would have contributed to the death, and the cause remains under investigation.
A heavily redacted police report shows Hickerson and his brother Zach were present at the apartment when Panettiere died. The report notes Hickerson did not appear visibly upset until emergency personnel declared Panettiere dead, and he presented officers with a “bag of medication” the actress was taking at the time.
Mother’s longstanding concerns
Vogel explained that Hickerson had a history of enabling Panettiere’s struggles. She referenced a restraining order Panettiere filed against him in 2020, shortly after their romantic relationship ended. “There is a lot of history in the past that Brian has enabled Hayden many times,” Vogel said, adding that both he and his family had been a source of worry for her and Panettiere’s father.
Vogel said she will speak with detectives to obtain the facts and may consider a private investigation, depending on what she learns. She also expressed uncertainty about why Panettiere and Hickerson were in South Carolina, noting Hickerson is from the state.
Background on Hickerson
According to Los Angeles County criminal court records, Hickerson was arrested in 2019 on an allegation of injuring a spouse or girlfriend. He pleaded no contest in 2021 and was sentenced the following year to four years of probation.
Family history and legacy
Panettiere, 36, rose to fame as a child actress, appearing in commercials before her first birthday and later starring in “Remember the Titans,” “Heroes,” and “Nashville,” earning two Golden Globe nominations. She lost her brother Jansen in 2023 to heart complications and had spoken publicly about that loss in 2024.
In her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” released in May 2026, Panettiere discussed a strained relationship with her mother. Vogel, who managed her daughter’s early career, said she wishes her daughter had stayed true to herself and that she believes Panettiere is now at peace with her brother.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
