Hayden Panettiere’s estranged mom slams actress’ boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, as she speaks out on death for first time

Hayden Panettiere’s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, has broken her silence on the actress’ tragic death at 36.

“I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments,” Vogel told NBC News Tuesday. “And I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry — it is a struggle, and it’s a very challenging industry, and it’s not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path.”

The grieving mother, who was a former soap opera actress herself, went on to slam her daughter’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, who was with Panettiere at the time of her death.

“This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death,” Vogel added, “and that was Brian Hickerson.”

Vogel told the outlet that she has very little information about the ongoing investigation into the actress’ heartbreaking death, but that she is planning to speak with a detective.

According to 911 audio obtained by Page Six, Panettiere was found dead at a luxury apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, on Aug. 16 after an apparent “overdose.” 

That same day, Hayden’s father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed “the tragic passing” with “profound sadness” in a statement to Page Six.

A police report obtained by Page Six Tuesday revealed that Panettiere — who struggled with “severe health issues” in recent months — was taking a “bag of medication” at the time of her death. The types of medications were redacted from the report.

The report also revealed that Brian and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were with Panettiere at the time of her death. According to the report, Brian “did not become emotional” until Panettiere was officially declared dead.

A source told Page Six that Brian — who admitted to “abusing her” during their on-off relationship — came back into Panettiere’s life just two weeks before her death.

As for Panettiere and Vogel, they were not on speaking terms before the “Nashville” star’s death. In her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” released in May, Panettiere made various claims about her relationship with her mom, who previously managed her career.

While promoting the novel with a candid interview on the “Jay Shetty” podcast, Panettiere recalled the moment she finally worked up the “courage” to “split” from her “boss” when she was 19 years old.

“She came into my trailer during lunch when we were filming ‘Heroes,’ and I said to her, ‘I don’t want us to work together anymore; I just want you to be my mom,'” Panettiere recalled telling Vogel, who allegedly replied, “You owe me.”

The actress admittedly “wasn’t expecting” that reaction.

“And that’s all she said, and she walked out,” Panettiere claimed. “And part of me was like, ‘Oh, I’m relieved that it was short, like, rip the Band-Aid off.’ But then it was like this dark looming cloud over my head going, ‘What does she mean by I owe her? What form of payment is she expecting?’”

According to the Golden Globe nominee, she later “found out” that her mom just wanted “money.”

The “Remember the Titans” star recalled being “disappointed” that Vogel, now 70, “didn’t pursue” a mother-daughter relationship with her after that.

When asked about the status of their relationship today, the actress lamented that they are “sadly” estranged.

Though Panettiere was “incredibly grateful” for her mother’s guidance early in her career, she claimed Vogel had high expectations of her and was difficult to please as both a manager and parent.

Panettiere also recalled the “very strange” and “uncomfortable” “role reversal” of her — a child and then-teenager — contributing financially to the family unit.

However, Vogel hit back at her “entitled” daughter’s claims in her tell-all book in an exclusive interview with Page Six.

Vogel told us on May 14 that she believes “the present drama is partially to sell books.”

She went on to say, “There is a personality ‘style’ which manifests as a need for control, entitlement and a lack of empathy. The major fear is that someone will see through the mask they present to the world and discover who they truthfully are.”

According to Vogel, “this condition cannot be ‘fixed’” regardless of “continual efforts to support” or “comfort.” No matter the “encouragement given, it will never be enough.”

Vogel, a former actress, claimed “this personality style does not accept responsibility for life choices and therefore feels they have no need to alter their behavior.”

The former soap opera star sadly also lost her other child, Jansen Panettiere. He died unexpectedly in February 2023 from cardiomegaly (an enlarged heart) coupled with aortic valve complications. He was 28.

During her Jay Shetty interview, Panettiere said she used to feel “very guilty” that her career affected how much time she and her mom could spend with Jansen and Skip.

“I remember [Vogel] actually turning to me one night and saying, ‘You’re the reason why I’m missing my son growing up.’ And that was a punch in the gut,” Panettiere claimed.