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Panettiere's Mother Reveals Estrangement Over Ultimatum, Custody

Published 25 August 2026

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.

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