Panettiere's Mother Reveals Estrangement Over Ultimatum, Custody

Lesley Vogel, the mother of late actress Hayden Panettiere, has spoken publicly about her daughter's struggles and their estrangement in the months before Panettiere's death. In an interview that aired on Monday, August 24, Vogel detailed how a personal ultimatum led to a year-long separation and expressed her belief that Panettiere's relationship with her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, was a destructive force in her life.

Panettiere, known for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16. She was 36 years old. The Greenville County Coroner's Office confirmed an autopsy found no signs of trauma contributing to her death, and the circumstances remain under investigation. According to a police report, Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present at the scene and called 911. Brian Hickerson's attorney stated that police confirmed no signs of foul play.

Vogel told Good Morning America that she traveled to California about a year before her daughter's death to support Panettiere in ending her relationship with Hickerson, whom Vogel described as "toxic." After approximately six...