Hayden Panettiere’s Mother Blames On-and-Off Boyfriend for Actress’s Death at 36

Hayden Panettiere’s mother spoke publicly for the first time following her daughter’s unexpected death, directing blame toward the actress’s longtime romantic partner. Lesley Vogel, who previously managed the entertainer’s career, identified Brian Hickerson as a destructive presence in Panettiere’s life during an interview with NBC News. “This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death and that was Brian Hickerson,” Vogel stated.

The “Heroes” and “Nashville” star died Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina at age 36. Police records indicate that Hickerson and his brother Zach were present when Panettiere experienced cardiac arrest, according to reports obtained by media outlets. Emergency responders initiated advanced life support measures but were unable to revive her, with the coroner’s office pronouncing her deceased at 2:32 p.m.

Preliminary autopsy findings ruled out trauma as a contributing factor to Panettiere’s death. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office and local police launched concurrent investigations, with officials noting that the cause and manner of death remain under review pending additional testing. No immediate response from Hickerson to requests for comment was available.

Vogel reflected on the challenges facing young entertainers, noting that the industry’s demands often lead vulnerable performers astray. The former manager emphasized Panettiere’s exceptional talent while acknowledging the toll of growing up in Hollywood. Vogel had overseen the actress’s career throughout her childhood before their professional relationship ended when Panettiere turned 19.

Panettiere revealed in May that she had become estranged from her mother earlier this year, though she expressed openness to reconciliation in an interview with US Weekly. The actress stated she had made a deliberate decision to separate from her family while attempting to rebuild her life. Hickerson declined to comment on the allegations through his representatives.

Panettiere’s ex-fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko, released a statement describing his family’s shock and sorrow over her passing. Klitschko emphasized that despite their separation, Panettiere remained a significant figure in his life and the mother of their daughter Kaya, born in 2014. The boxer vowed to ensure their child remembers her mother’s legacy and accomplishments.

The actress is survived by her daughter, who has been in Klitschko’s care in Europe since 2018. In her recent memoir, Panettiere explained her decision to grant full custody to the boxer, acknowledging she was navigating personal struggles at the time. She expressed confidence in the support system surrounding her child abroad while committing to maintain an active presence in Kaya’s life.

This marks the second unexpected death in the Panettiere family in less than two years. Her younger brother Jansen died in February 2023 at age 28, adding another layer of tragedy to the family’s recent history. The coroner’s office continues its investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death, with officials indicating additional information may be released as the inquiry progresses.