Lesley Vogel has offered a new explanation for her fractured relationship with her daughter, Hayden Panettiere, following criticism of her first public remarks after the actress’s death. Vogel now says the distance between them did not reflect a lack of love and instead pointed to the influence of another person in Panettiere’s life.
Lesley Vogel explains her estrangement from Hayden Panettiere
In a statement posted by ET on Thursday, Vogel said she and Panettiere had become estranged because of what she described as a “toxic individual.” She alleged that this “wrong person” contributed to her daughter’s death, although she did not identify the individual by name. Vogel also said relatives tried unsuccessfully to “extricate” that person from Panettiere’s life.
The remarks appear to point to Brian Hickerson, Panettiere’s former on-and-off boyfriend. Vogel had previously accused him of being involved in the circumstances surrounding the actress’s death.
Hickerson pleaded no contest in 2021 to two felony counts involving injury to a spouse, cohabitant, or coparent and served time in custody. His attorney has emphasized that authorities found no evidence of foul play, while the death investigation is currently underway (via EW).
Vogel’s latest message also sought to shift attention toward her daughter’s legacy. She described Panettiere as “talented and beautiful” and asked people to remember the person she was rather than focus solely on the circumstances surrounding her death. “My heart is with you, Hayden. Mama,” she wrote.
Her clarification follows backlash over comments she gave NBC News one day after Panettiere died August 16 at age 36. Vogel had previously said the entertainment industry could push young performers toward harmful choices and suggested that her daughter had “lost her way.” She also said the circumstances had left her with unanswered questions about what happened.
Those remarks drew a sharp response from actress Holly Robinson Peete, who criticized Vogel on social media for not expressing enough affection for her daughter. The controversy also revived painful details from Panettiere’s memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” which discussed pressure surrounding her childhood career and relationship with her mother.
