Hayden Panettiere’s Estranged Mother Speaks Out After Actress’s Death

Hayden Panettiere died from a suspected drug overdose at the age of 36. Investigators have confirmed there are no signs of foul play.

Emergency Response at the Greenville Apartment

According to Daily Mail reporting, the actress was found unresponsive on a Sunday afternoon at an apartment block in Greenville, South Carolina, by local police and emergency responders.

Paramedics attempted to resuscitate Panettiere using chest compressions after receiving a 911 call at 1:51 p.m. reporting a cardiac arrest, according to Daily Mail coverage of dispatch audio and police statements. Authorities at the scene located Narcan on a mattress in the loft apartment, though it remains unclear whether it was administered before help arrived.

Autopsy Results and On-Scene Accounts

Police confirmed that her on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother Zach were present in the apartment when emergency crews arrived. Officers stated that Hickerson later provided police with a bag of medication that Panettiere had been taking.

Pronounced dead less than 40 minutes after the initial call, an autopsy found no physical trauma contributing to the death. Detectives and the local coroner’s office stated that the preliminary investigation revealed no indications of suspicious circumstances or foul play.

Family Statements and Industry Reflections

The actress’s father, Skip Panettiere, released a statement on Sunday confirming the death of his daughter. Meanwhile, her estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, spoke to NBC News on Tuesday, addressing both her daughter’s passing and her desire to shape the upcoming funeral arrangements.

Vogel told NBC News that her daughter had sadly lost her way and noted that the entertainment industry presents severe challenges for young performers who grow up in the spotlight.

Memoir Revelations and Prior Estrangement

The public statements follow a documented rift between Panettiere and her mother surrounding the release of the actress’s memoir. In the book, Panettiere detailed childhood pressures and subsequent struggles with depression, alcoholism, and substance abuse.

Speaking in May, Vogel defended her decision to cut ties, stating that she chose a no-contact route on professional advice after determining that someone unwilling to be saved cannot be rescued.

Tensions Surrounding Funeral Arrangements

Following her death, sources familiar with the family dynamics told entertainment columnist Rob Shuter that Vogel intends to take control of the funeral planning.

According to reports of those insider accounts, the planned involvement has stirred tension among individuals close to the late actress, who argue that personal history should be set aside to honor what Panettiere would have wanted.