Hayden Panettiere passed away just over a week ago on Sunday, August 16. She was just 36. The former child star’s mother, Lesley Vogel, has been vocal about her daughter’s passing, releasing a statement which initially attracted criticism for the wording she used to describe her daughter’s life choices.
In the days since, Vogel has continued to speak out, and her most recent comments came on Saturday, August 22, when she gave a lengthy interview to the Daily Mail.
Hayden Panettiere’s Mother Seeks Justice
GettyAt the time of Panettiere’s death, she is believed to have been estranged from her mother. Vogel has made scathing claims about Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, who was at the same apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, as the “Nashville” actress at the time of her passing. Vogel feels there is much to be done, and she told the Daily Mail she wants “justice” for Panettiere.
“There is infinite sadness,” Vogel said. “But this is not the time for me to be weak. I don’t have the luxury right now of being weak. I have too much to do for Hayden. When I’m done with that, then I will give myself the luxury to mourn – deeply mourn.”
She continued, “I’m not saying I’m not grieving now. I am, and I do have my moments. But the bigger picture right now is I have to stay strong. I don’t have an option.”
Hickerson’s attorney shared a statement to ABC News on Thursday, August 20, addressing Panettiere’s death and speculation surrounding it. “Hayden’s death remains under investigation, and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed. As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play,” the statement reads. “Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”
Hayden Panettiere’s ‘Complicated’ Relationship With Lesley Vogel
GettyPanettiere started her career as a child star, with her breakthrough at age four in the soap opera, “One Life to Live.” She later appeared on “Guiding Light” from 1996 to 2000. The actress had discussed the struggles she endured because of fame at such a young age, and she spoke about her mother’s praise and how she associated that with affection in an interview with The Independent in May.
“Getting that kind of praise so young made me feel empowered and happy. But it was also all wrapped up in pleasing my mom. Her opinions were the most important to me,” she told the publication. “I associated praise with love. So being praised felt like being loved.” Panettiere’s memoir, “This is Me: A Reckoning,” which was released in May, detailed her feelings about her mother.
After Vogel’s first statement, she was criticized by Gayle King on “CBS Mornings.” In her interview with the Daily Mail, Vogel said her relationship with Panettiere was “complicated,” adding, “I was very, very hurt and deeply disappointed in the lack of professionalism, the lack of compassion in slamming someone who’s lost two children, without even a modicum of consideration. No one reached out to me before. It’s shameful. It’s unconscionable to me.”
