Mother Speaks After Hayden Panettiere’s Passing

Hayden Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, spoke out two days after the “Heroes” star’s death at 36. Vogel highlighted concerns about Panettiere’s relationship with Brian Hickerson, her frequent partner. She expressed frustrations to NBC News about Hickerson, who was present at Panettiere’s death.

The talented actress passed away in Greenville, South Carolina, according to a police report. They stated that Hickerson, along with his brother Zach, were with her. Vogel described the entertainment industry as challenging for young people like Hayden, comparing it to finding oneself on a difficult path.

There was no immediate response from Hickerson to Fox News Digital’s queries. Despite serving as manager through much of her daughter’s career, Vogel had a strained relationship with Panettiere, who ended their professional connection at 19. Panettiere addressed this estrangement in a May interview with US Weekly.

Panettiere and Hickerson were reportedly in an on-and-off relationship from 2018 to 2022. Preliminary autopsy findings reported no signs of trauma contributing to her death. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed cardiac arrest as the immediate cause, with resuscitation attempts failing.

An ongoing investigation by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office and Greenville City Police Department is underway. Initial autopsy results did not indicate any trauma, leaving cause and manner of death pending further exploration.

Hayden Panettiere began her acting career young, gaining fame in the series “Heroes.” Her brother Jansen passed away suddenly in February 2023 at 28. She leaves behind a daughter, Kaya, with her ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko. Klitschko shared his grief on social media, noting Panettiere’s integral role in their family, despite their separation. He pledged to honor her in his daughter’s life.

In her memoir “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” released in May, Panettiere discussed her decision regarding Kaya’s custody. She chose to give full custody to Klitschko in 2018 due to her personal struggles. Panettiere wanted to protect Kaya from public scrutiny and ensure her well-being and safety in Europe.

Panettiere expressed a desire for Kaya to have a stable life and acknowledged the potential for her daughter to return one day. Klitschko vowed to keep Panettiere’s memory alive for Kaya and express nothing but respect for her. He extended condolences to Panettiere’s family, friends, and fans. The impact of her early departure was felt widely, reminding us of the pressures young talents face.