Hayden Panettiere's Mom Challenges Brian Hickerson's Claims About Her Death

Sophie WellerSun, August 23, 2026 at 6:40 AM UTC

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Hayden Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, has been very outspoken about her daughter’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, following the actress’s tragic death at the age of 36 on Aug. 16.

And in a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Vogel called out the account of her daughter’s death by Brian and his brother Zach, saying it is “full of holes.” She added that she pressed law enforcement in South Carolina to investigate Panettiere’s death, while also questioning Hickerson and the information he relayed to the police.

Specifically, she says Brian told the police that Panettiere was doing her makeup in the residence around 10.30 am on Sunday, August 16, which is when he went out for something. He then returned later and went to take a nap.

“Vogel’s account of what Hickerson told police does not include him seeing or speaking to Hayden after he returned, she claims,” The Daily Mail writes.

She then said that Hickerson told police his brother had knocked on the door a little later, and when Brian went to answer, the actress was found unresponsive. According to Vogel, there are “unexplained gaps in that account.”

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“I don’t know how you can take a nap near someone who’s dying and not realize something’s wrong. How do you do that?,” she told the outlet. “When the EMTs came it was for a cardiac arrest. People in cardiac arrest aren’t just lying still. They make noise. I think Brian called his brother. My opinion. I think he knew she was deceased. Called his brother, and tried and built this story.”

Vogel described Panettiere’s relationship with Brian as a “codependent bond,” saying it was “much more powerful than people realized.” She said she is speaking out because she “wants justice” for her daughter.

“‘There is infinite sadness,” Vogel added. “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.”

“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.’

This story was originally published by Parade on Aug 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”