Hayden Panettiere’s estranged mom claims Brian Hickerson’s story about daughter’s death is ‘full of holes’

Hayden Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, publicly cast doubt on Brian Hickerson’s alleged account of how the “Heroes” actress died.

Vogel — who was estranged from her daughter for years before her tragic death — claimed she spoke to a police officer at the scene of Panettiere’s death in a new interview with the Daily Mail. She said she told the officer she thought Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend was “culpable” when asked about him.

While Hickerson has only spoken out through his lawyer to note that the investigation into Panettiere’s death is ongoing, Vogel claims he told police he last saw Panettiere doing her makeup Sunday morning at their Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina, before he stepped out.

According to Vogel, Hickerson told police he returned, took a nap and only woke up when his brother, Zach Hickerson, knocked on the door and that’s when they found Panettiere unresponsive.

Hayden Panettiere’s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, alleged that Brian Hickerson’s account of what happened the day the actress died is “full of holes.” Vogel and Panettiere are seen here in May 2007. Matt Baron/BEI / Shutterstock
Hickerson (pictured above in September 2021) was Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend and was present the day she died. HEDO / BACKGRID

She was later declared dead from an apparent overdose. TMZ previously reported that Narcan — a medicine typically used to quickly reverse an opioid overdose — was found on the scene.

Vogel alleged, “I think there will be a discrepancy in the timeline, meaning Brian had to go out and buy the Narcan while he left her there because I do not believe he happened to have two bottles of Narcan on him, like he carried them around in his back pocket.”

She also questioned, “I don’t know how you can take a nap near someone who’s dying and not realize something’s wrong.”

Vogel believes Hickerson’s alleged story is “full of holes.”

Vogel (seen here with Panettiere in March 2009) alleged in an interview with the Daily Mail that the story Hickerson told police was that he last saw Panettiere the morning she died and was napping at the time of her death. Getty Images
Vogel claims he told police he only woke up when his brother, Zach Hickerson, knocked on the door and that’s when they found the “Nashville” alum unresponsive. Brian and Panettiere are seen here together in March. LionsShareNews / BACKGRID

“I think Brian called his brother. My opinion,” she alleges. “I think he knew she was deceased. Called his brother, and tried and built this story.”

Page Six reached out to Brian’s lawyer, Sloan Ellis, about Vogel’s claims. Ellis noted they wouldn’t be commenting beyond their previous statement at this time.

Ellis told Page Six Thursday, “Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed.”

“As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play,” the statement continued. “Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”

On Friday, Zach claimed to TMZ that Brian performed CPR on Panettiere and gave her Narcan when he found her unconscious.

Brian was seen for the first time since Panettiere’s death on Wednesday in Greenville, South Carolina. Filmsbyjosh / BACKGRID
The real estate agent has not given his account of the day Panettiere died, but his lawyer told Page Six that the investigation is ongoing and that it was important to let the investigation proceed. Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock

“There are a lot of assumptions, speculations and accusations currently swirling,” Zach told the outlet.

Zach insisted the truth about the “Nashville” alum’s death would “come out” as the investigation progresses, and noted that her loved ones and fans “deserve the truth.”

Meanwhile, Vogel slammed Brian in her statement about her daughter’s death Tuesday.

“I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments,” Vogel told NBC News. “And I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry — it is a struggle, and it’s a very challenging industry, and it’s not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path.”

The “Heroes” alum and her mom (seen above in April 2007) had a rocky relationship before she died. FilmMagic
Panettiere (pictured above in May 2025) was declared dead Sunday from an apparent overdose. She was 36 years old. haydenpanettiere/Instagram

“This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death,” Vogel added, “and that was Brian Hickerson.”

In a second statement to Entertainment Tonight on Thursday, Vogel said, “Although my daughter and I were estranged, it was not for lack of care or love. It was due to the involvement of a toxic individual who I believe led to her death.”

Additionally, Vogel pointed out that the Drug Enforcement Administration has joined the investigation into Panettiere’s passing.

“It leads me to believe there are still questions surrounding what happened,” she said, “and I think we are all looking for answers.”

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