Hayden Panettiere, known for her role in “Heroes,” passed away at the age of 36. In the wake of her death, Lesley Vogel, Panettiere’s mother and former career manager, spoke out about her daughter’s passing and her relationship with Brian Hickerson, Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend.
“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 told NBC News.
Panettiere’s death occurred in Greenville, South Carolina, with Hickerson and his brother present at the scene, as indicated by a police report. Her mother emphasized the struggles faced by those growing up in the entertainment industry and hinted at the challenges Panettiere encountered.
Panettiere had ended her professional relationship with Vogel when she turned 19 and was estranged from her mother earlier this year. A previous statement from Panettiere highlighted that, despite their lack of a relationship, she remained open to possible reconciliation.
Hickerson, who dated Panettiere from 2018 to 2022, did not respond to requests for comment regarding the incident. Preliminary autopsy results showed no evidence of trauma contributing to her death.
Upon emergency response arrival, Panettiere was in cardiac arrest. Despite advanced efforts by EMS, she was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
The investigations by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office and Greenville City Police Department remain ongoing, pending further studies to determine the cause and manner of death.
Hayden Panettiere, a talented actress who gained prominence through “Heroes,” is survived by her daughter Kaya, born in 2014 with ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko. Klitschko shared his grief on social media, recounting their shared history and the impact she had on their daughter’s life.
“The announcement of Hayden’s tragic death saddens me deeply,” Klitschko wrote, emphasizing respect for Panettiere’s memory and the loss felt by her family and fans.
Panettiere’s memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” released in May, discussed her decision to grant Klitschko full custody of their daughter in 2018. She expressed concern for her daughter’s well-being amidst her own challenges and the potential public scrutiny of custody disputes due to her fame.
Panettiere hoped for eventual reconciliation with her daughter, confident in Kaya’s safe and supportive environment overseas. The actress planned to visit her daughter frequently, emphasizing Kaya’s secure and nurturing upbringing.