Hayden Panettiere’s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, reportedly hopes to be involved in her funeral and memorial arrangements despite their complicated history.
According to sources cited by Rob Shuter’s Naughty But Nice, Vogel, who managed Panettiere’s career during her childhood, is reportedly pushing to have a role in her late daughter’s final farewell.
The outlet added that the late actress’ family is now facing difficult questions about who should have a say in her funeral arrangements.
Getty“Lesley is Hayden’s mother, but that doesn’t erase the history between them,” the source claimed. “There are people around Hayden who believe those closest to her should be making these decisions, especially after everything that happened between Hayden and her mother.”
The insider continued, “This should be about Hayden, not old family battles. Everyone needs to put their personal history aside and ask one question: What would Hayden have wanted?”
Hayden Panettiere’s Cause of Death
GettyPanettiere, who was best known for her roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” passed away on Sunday, August 16. She was 36.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” the actress’s father, Skip Panettiere, told ABC News on Sunday. “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.”
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said in a statement that the preliminary investigation has “not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances,” according to PEOPLE. The outlet also revealed that “an acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.”
On August 17, authorities confirmed that a 911 call was made at around 1:51 p.m. on August 16.
“First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest,” the statement shared. “EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM.”
Brian Hickerson Was at Scene When Hayden Panettiere Passed Away
Meanwhile, Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson was reportedly at the scene when the actress was found dead.
NBC reported that the aspiring actor and his brother Zach Hickerson were inside the apartment complex when the “One Life to Live” star went into cardiac arrest.
The responding officer reportedly first spoke with Zach, who was “very emotional” while emergency medical services professionals were “working on Hayden.”
Brian, on the other hand, reportedly did not become visibly emotional until EMS declared Panettiere dead. He also reportedly showed police a “bag of medication” that the actress was taking at the time of her passing.
Panettiere and Brian’s romantic relationship appeared to end in 2020 amid allegations of domestic violence.
However, TMZ reported that the “Scream” actress and the actor kept their rekindled romance private to protect her career.
In May 2026, Hickerson revealed that he still hopes to marry the “Tiger Cruise” star despite their complicated history.
“I hope so, [but] she probably doesn’t think the same way,” Brian told TMZ. “I think Hayden is one of most talented people I’ve ever met in my life, and I would be an idiot not to walk away from her and let her flourish in her career.”
