Hayden Panettiere’s Mother Breaks Silence: Family "Concerned for Years" About Daughter’s On-Again, Off-Again Boyfriend Brian Hickerson
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA – In a heartbreaking revelation, Lesley Vogel, mother of the late actress Hayden Panettiere, has spoken out for the first time since her daughter’s untimely death. Vogel expressed deep-seated concerns regarding Panettiere’s tumultuous relationship with Brian Hickerson, who was reportedly present at the time of the actress’s fatal cardiac arrest.
"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 disclosed to NBC News, highlighting years of apprehension felt by the family.
Panettiere, beloved for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," tragically died in her Greenville, South Carolina, apartment complex. While the official cause of death remains under investigation by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, an initial autopsy revealed "no signs of trauma" contributing to her passing.
Hickerson Present During Cardiac Arrest
According to a police report obtained by NBC News, Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were inside Panettiere’s apartment when she experienced cardiac arrest. The report described Zach as "very emotional" while Brian reportedly maintained composure until medical personnel pronounced Panettiere dead. During the emergency, Hickerson reportedly presented a "bag of medication," informing police that Panettiere had been taking them.
Years of Familial Concern and Allegations of Abuse
Vogel’s concerns about Hickerson are not new, predating Panettiere’s death by several years. "There is a lot of history in the past that Brian has enabled Hayden many times and this is why her father and I had been concerned for a long time about him and frankly, his family," Vogel stated, emphasizing that the family’s worries extended beyond Brian himself. She also indicated plans to speak with detectives to gather more information before forming any definitive conclusions.
The relationship between Panettiere and Hickerson has a documented history of alleged domestic abuse. After entering rehab in 2018, Panettiere began dating Hickerson. Her recently released memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning (May 2026), details alleged abuse during their relationship, including an incident where she claimed Hickerson beat her to the extent that she felt unable to leave her home for weeks.
Hickerson’s legal troubles stemming from their relationship are also well-documented. In 2019, he was arrested following an allegation of injuring a spouse or girlfriend. Panettiere sought a restraining order against him in 2020. The following year, Hickerson pleaded no contest to the abuse charge and was subsequently sentenced to four years of probation. Panettiere’s memoir also touched upon periods where alcohol consumption coincided with alleged domestic violence within their relationship.
An On-Again, Off-Again Relationship, and Unanswered Questions
Despite the public perception of an on-again, off-again dynamic, Vogel revealed her belief that Panettiere and Hickerson were still together at the time of her daughter’s death. "I always knew they were together," she affirmed when questioned about the status of their relationship.
Vogel also raised questions about the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death, including why Panettiere and Hickerson were in South Carolina, Hickerson’s home state, and the timing of the emergency call. The call, reportedly made at 1:50 p.m. ET on a Sunday, struck Vogel as unusual. "That is questionable because that is not the typical hour of the day that you are partying, generally speaking. That is a concern," she remarked.
A Mother’s Grief and a Complicated Relationship
In a poignant admission, Vogel disclosed that she had not spoken to her daughter via phone since October, although they maintained communication through text messages. She explained this decision was made "for very specific reasons," not due to a lack of "care, concern, [or] love." Vogel acknowledged the complex nature of their relationship, mentioning previous attempts to help Panettiere "clean up quite a bit." Panettiere herself had addressed her relationship with her mother in her memoir shortly before her passing.
Another Devastating Loss for the Panettiere Family
Hayden Panettiere’s death follows another immense tragedy for the family: the loss of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, in 2023 at the age of 28. His cause of death was attributed to cardiomegaly and aortic valve complications. Hayden had publicly discussed her brother’s death on the TODAY show in 2024, stating, "When you lose somebody that you saw in all the important moments in your life, standing right next to you, it just rocks your world."
In her profound grief, Lesley Vogel now finds a semblance of solace in the belief that her daughter and son are reunited. "I wish she had stayed true to herself because she had many incredible attributes," Vogel shared with NBC News. "So, I just feel that she’s with her brother and they’re at peace, and I guess that’s my takeaway."
A Celebrated Career Cut Short
Hayden Panettiere began her career as a child actor, appearing in television commercials at just 11 months old. By the age of four, she was acting in soap operas, and at ten, she gained wider recognition in the film Remember the Titans. She achieved international fame for her iconic roles in the hit series Heroes and Nashville, with her powerful performance in the latter earning her two Golden Globe nominations. Her passing leaves a void in the hearts of her fans and, most acutely, her grieving family.
