While fans continue to mourn Hayden Panettiere, remarks from the late star’s mother Leslie Vogel after her daughter’s passing continue to generate controversy.
On Tuesday, August 18, Vogel — who’d been estranged from Panettiere for years — gave an interview to NBC News.
“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,” Vogel said.
“I think it becomes very difficult to be true to yourself, and I think Hayden sadly lost her way, and I wish it were different,” she added. “I wish she had stayed true to herself because she had many incredible attributes.”
Gayle King Had Some Thoughts
In an subsequent edition of “CBS Mornings,” Gayle King defended Panettiere when she shared her opinion of what Vogel had said.
“You know, guys, you read this, and all I can think is, ‘Thanks, Mom, for nothing,’” she said, as reported by Page Six.
“It makes me so sad of the opportunity that you have after your daughter’s death,” she added, “that that’s what you choose to leave us with.”
Holly Robinson Peete Joined the Discussion
On Thursday, August 19, Hallmark Channel fan favorite Holly Robinson Peete took to social media to share her own opinion.
Writing on X, she referenced what King had said about Vogel’s remarks, and offered some thoughts of her own.
“She’s not wrong,” Robinson Peete wrote of what King had expressed.
“We know this young lady clearly had so many issues, but if you’re not gonna take accountability for the fact that you put her in the business that eventually messed her up then nothing you say has any integrity,” she continued, referencing Panettiere’s mother pushing her into show business when she was still an infant.
“She didn’t even say ‘I will miss my daughter’ or ‘I loved my daughter the best way I could.’ Has she even mentioned the word daughter?” she added.
“There were so many things she could have said to show us that she was a caring, mother… And now both of her children are gone. It is all so tragic.💔 rip Hayden🙏🏽,” she concluded.
Police Investigation Launched
In the wake of Panettiere’s unexpected passing at age 36 in Greenville, South Carolina, local authorities confirmed that they’ve launched a police investigation to determine whether there had been any criminal conduct involved in her death.
“One law enforcement source tells TMZ … the death investigation was triggered because Hayden’s death was ‘unexpected,’ since she was only 36 … adding the police are doing a parallel investigation with the coroner to determine the cause and manner of death,” the outlet reported.
As TMZ pointed out, police are uncertain whether her death was caused by an accidental overdose of prescription medication, or if there was more to it than that.
TMZ subsequently reported that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency had also launched a parallel investigation, and will also be looking into the circumstances behind the late “Heroes” star’s tragic passing.
