Hayden Panettiere’s mom is speaking out once again, sharing a new statement following the backlash she received for her first one.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight on Thursday, Aug. 20, Lesley Vogel opened up about her estrangement with her daughter, emphasizing that despite the distance between them, she still deeply cared.
“Although my daughter and I were estranged, it was not for lack of care or love,” Vogel told the outlet. “It was due to the involvement of a toxic individual who I believe led to her death.”
While she did not directly name the person in the statement, many believe it to be Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson, who Vogel publicly criticized in her first public comments.
“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 told NBC News on Aug. 18. “And that was Brian Hickerson.”
Panettiere was found dead at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, Aug. 16, after first responders received a call reporting an “unresponsive female.” An autopsy was completed, with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office announcing that “no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death.
Lesley Vogel Asks That Hayden Panettiere Be Remembered As A ‘Beautiful Human’
In her statement to Entertainment Tonight, Vogel highlighted Panettiere’s shining qualities while also asking for her to be remembered by more than just what happened at the time of her passing.
“Hayden was a beautiful and talented young woman who unfortunately became involved with the wrong person, and although her family tried to extricate him from her life, we were unable to be successful,” she said.
“I hope all remember Hayden for the beautiful human being inside her and her gift to the world from her time on this earth,” she said. “My heart is with you, Hayden. Mama.”
Vogel also reportedly wants to be involved in Panettiere’s funeral and memorial arrangements, as per sources cited by Rob Shuter’s Naughty But Nice.
Hayden Panettiere’s Boyfriend Brian Hickerson Speaks Out
For the first time since her passing, Hickerson, the actress’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, spoke out.
Sloan Ellis, an attorney for Hickerson, shared a statement with TMZ on Thursday, Aug. 20.
“Hayden’s death remains under investigation, and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” the lawyer said. “As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”
Hickerson was in the residence at the time of Panettiere’s passing, but was asleep in another room. The actress was discovered by Hickerson’s brother, Zach. According to a responding officer on the scene, Matthew Bryan, he said that Zach was “very emotional,” while Brian was not visibly emotional until Panettiere was declared dead. Police were also seen visiting the family home of Hickerson on Wednesday, Aug. 19, but later released a statement saying it was not connected to the investigation and instead was a welfare check.
