Mother blames ex-partner after Panettiere's death

Hayden Panettiere, the actress known for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," died on August 16, 2026, at the age of 36. She was found in cardiac arrest at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina. Her death has prompted public statements from her mother, Lesley Vogel, and has drawn reactions from other public figures, while investigations into the cause continue.

Vogel, who was estranged from her daughter at the time of her death, addressed the situation in a statement on August 20. She stated that the estrangement was "not for lack of care or love" but was "due to the involvement of a toxic individual." Vogel specifically named Panettiere's former partner, Brian Hickerson, saying, "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." She added that narcotics investigators had joined the inquiry, which "leads me to believe there are still questions surrounding what happened."

Hickerson's attorney, in a statement on August 20, emphasized the importance of allowing the investigation to proceed, noting that police had confirmed no signs of foul play. The cause of death has not been...