Wednesday, August 19, 2026 - Hayden Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, has publicly criticized Brian Hickerson following the actress’s sudden death at 36.
Hickerson, Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend, was reportedly at the South Carolina apartment where she was found unresponsive on August 16, along with his brother Zach. Police said emergency responders attempted to revive Panettiere, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Vogel said the family had wanted Hickerson out of her daughter’s life for years, pointing to his history of domestic violence involving Panettiere. Hickerson was previously convicted in connection with abuse allegations and had served jail time.
The latest police report confirms that he was present when Panettiere was found, but authorities have not accused him of causing her death. An autopsy found no signs of trauma, and the official cause of death remains under investigation.
The circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s final hours are now receiving intense scrutiny as investigators continue examining what happened. Police reportedly found medication at the scene, while a 911 call referenced cardiac arrest and a possible overdose, but toxicology and other findings are still pending.
Vogel’s comments have added another layer to an already deeply emotional case, as Panettiere’s family, fans and investigators seek answers about the actress’s sudden death.
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