Aug. 18, 2026Updated Aug. 19, 2026, 8:26 a.m. ET
Hayden Panettiere‘s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, is speaking out for the first time since her daughter’s death at the age of 36.
The “Nashville” actress died Sunday, Aug. 16, in a Greenville, South Carolina, apartment complex after her on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother called 911, per a copy of the police report obtained by USA TODAY. Now, her mom has revealed the family had longstanding concerns about the relationship.
“This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death and that was Brian Hickerson,” Vogel told NBC News in a phone interview Tuesday, Aug. 18.
“I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments 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,” she added.
Vogel told the outlet she had very little information about the ongoing investigation and said she will be speaking with a detective.
USA TODAY has reached out to Panettiere’s rep for comment.
The redacted police report further revealed Brian Hickerson and brother Zach Hickerson were with Panettiere when she died and were the people who made the 911 call. Zach Hickerson was “very emotional” as emergency personnel performed life-saving efforts on Panettiere, while Brian “did not become emotional until EMS declared her deceased,” per the report.
It also said Brian Hickerson showed police a “bag of medication” that Panettiere was taking.
How did Hayden Panettiere die?
Police and emergency medical personnel responded to reports of an unresponsive female in an apartment complex at 701 Easley Bridge Road at approximately 1:51 p.m. local time Aug. 16, Greenville Police Sgt. Jonathan Bragg previously told USA TODAY in a statement.
“Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Bragg said.
In 911 dispatch audio obtained by Reuters, TMZ and other outlets, first responders can be heard saying the former child star was in cardiac arrest after a possible overdose. An Aug. 17 statement from Greenville County Coroner Mike Ellis stated Panettiere did not have any signs of trauma that “would have contributed to the death.”
Hayden Panettiere, mom were estranged months before her death
Panettiere revealed she and her mother were estranged during a May appearance on the Jay Shetty podcast to promote her book. She said she felt like “everything but her child” and noted the relationship heavily revolved around Panettiere’s career and Vogel, 70, being her “boss” since she was a baby.
They stopped working together when Panettiere was 19, but she said Vogel “didn’t pursue a relationship with me as just a mother-daughter.”
“It seemed to me that she had no reason to call. The only reason why she would reach out was when something was needed. It wasn’t just to say ‘hi’ or ‘how are you,'” she said. “It’s been a really tough road, and no matter how many times that door has been slammed in my face, I’ve desperately sought her approval for my entire life.”
Who is Brian Hickerson? Hayden Panettiere, ex’s tumltuous relationship included abuse allegations
Panettiere and Hickerson dated on-and-off beginning in 2018, with years of physical abuse allegations and multiple domestic violence arrests.
In 2019, Hickerson was charged with felony domestic violence following an alleged altercation with the “Heroes” star and Panettiere was granted a restraining order. However, prosecutors “could not secure a material witness” and case was later dismissed.
He was arrested again in 2020 and charged with four counts of injuring a spouse or cohabitant, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of dissuading a witness and one misdemeanor battery count.
Panettiere addressed the situation in a July 2020 Instagram post, writing, “I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve. I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again.”
Hickerson ultimately pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend in 2021 and was sentenced to 45 days in jail, four years of probation and 52 domestic violence classes.
Panettiere detailed the alleged abuse in her 2026 memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” which also told the story of her struggles with alcohol and drug addiction and the effects of childhood fame. In a May interview with TMZ, Hickerson acknowledged he “got arrested for abusing her and I wouldn’t blame her friend for being pissed off.”
The pair recently fueled rumors of reconciliation when they were photographed together at Los Angeles International Airport in March. In his interview with TMZ, Hickerson said he still had feelings for Panettiere and had not ruled out the possibility of marrying her one day.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you can call theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357).
Contributing: Anika Reed, Edward Segarra, KiMi Robinson, Taijuan Moorman and Sameen Chaudhry, USA TODAY; Jose Franco, Joyce Orlando, Terry Benjamin II and Ruth Cronin, Greenville News
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