Hayden Panettiere’s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, is speaking publicly about her daughter’s death for the first time, sharing an emotional belief that the actress has been reunited with her younger brother, Jansen.
Vogel reflected on Panettiere’s life and the pressures she faced growing up in Hollywood during a phone interview with NBC News on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Hayden Panettiere’s Mom Believes She Is at Peace With Brother Jansen
For Vogel, thoughts quickly turned to the other devastating loss her family has endured.
“I just feel that she’s with her brother and they’re at peace,” she told the outlet.
Jansen Panettiere died unexpectedly in February 2023 at 28. His family later said his death was caused by cardiomegaly, or an enlarged heart, coupled with aortic valve complications. Hayden had been candid about the lasting impact of losing her only sibling, whom she described as her “other half.”
Vogel also reflected on what she saw as the difficulties her daughter faced after entering show business at a very young age. She described Hayden as “an amazingly talented person in so many departments” while acknowledging that growing up in entertainment came with challenges.
Why Were Hayden Panettiere and Her Mother Estranged?
The mother and daughter had spoken very differently about their complicated relationship in the months before Hayden’s death.
Vogel managed her daughter’s career throughout much of her childhood. Hayden later said the boundaries between their personal and professional relationships became increasingly difficult to separate.
During a May appearance on “On Purpose with Jay Shetty,“ Hayden recalled reaching a breaking point at 19 while working on “Heroes.”
“Everything was business,” she said. “I became the confidant and the assistant and the therapist and the shoulder to cry on and everything but her child.”
Hayden said she eventually told Vogel, “I don’t want us to work together anymore. I just want you to be my mom.” She claimed her mother responded, “You owe me.”
Hayden Panettiere Had Hoped to Reconcile With Her Mom
Vogel publicly disputed parts of her daughter’s account around the release of Hayden’s May memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” She confirmed their estrangement and said she chose to cut off contact after years of turmoil.
Despite their differences, Hayden made clear shortly before her death that she had not completely given up hope of repairing their relationship.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have a relationship right now,” she told Us Weekly. “But that doesn’t mean that I don’t leave the door open for the opportunity to present itself one day.”
What Has Hayden Panettiere’s Family Said Since Her Death?
Hayden’s father, Alan “Skip” Panettiere, with whom the actress said she maintained a close relationship, confirmed her death in a statement released on Sunday.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”
Hayden built a career spanning most of her life, becoming a household name through “Heroes” and “Nashville” and appearing in movies including “Remember the Titans,” “Ice Princess,” “Scream 4” and “Scream VI.”
Her relationship with her mother remained unresolved when she died, but Vogel’s first words following the loss centered on the peace she hopes her daughter has finally found alongside Jansen.
