Lesley Vogel, the mother of Hayden Panettiere, has shared her heartfelt desire for her daughter’s legacy to be one of beauty and intelligence as she reflects on the actress’s untimely passing at the age of 36.
In an emotional conversation with ABC News, Vogel expressed her wish for Hayden to be celebrated as the gifted and vibrant individual she truly was.
Panettiere, who captivated audiences with performances in “Heroes,” “Nashville,” and “Ice Princess,” was discovered unresponsive on August 16 in Greenville, South Carolina. Despite frantic efforts by first responders to save her after a cardiac arrest, she was declared dead at the scene.
Her tragic passing occurred only months following her candid discussions about the complexities of her relationship with her mother, who had played a pivotal role as her acting mentor during her formative years.
In a raw and honest interview conducted in May with ABC News, Panettiere acknowledged the challenges she faced in navigating her connection with her mother.
“Over the years, I’ve tried to leave that door open, hoping that the relationship would evolve into a healthy mother-daughter relationship, and it’s obvious that that’s just not going to be the case,” she explained.
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At the time, Vogel responded to her daughter’s comments in a statement to Page Six, saying she had chosen to go “the no-contact route” after taking “the advice of professionals.”
The Greenville City Police Department is leading the investigation into Panettiere’s death, with the Drug Enforcement Administration assisting, according to sources familiar with the matter.
According to a police report obtained by ABC News, Panettiere was with her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, at the time of her death. The report said it was unknown whether Panettiere had been using drugs or alcohol.
Panettiere’s official cause and manner of death “remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies,” the coroner’s office said.
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