As the investigation of Hayden Panettiere's death continues, new details are emerging, and people in the actress' life are speaking out.
The "Nashville" star's mother Lesley Vogel, who had an estranged relationship with Panettiere in recent months, opened up about her daughter's death in an interview with "Good Morning America," one week after Panettiere was found dead at an apartment complex
in Greenville, South Carolina.Vogel has been vocal about the pair's relationship and the circumstances surrounding Panettiere's death in various interviews, after previously being criticized for her initial remarks on the actress' death.
In her conversation with "GMA," which aired Monday, Aug. 24, Vogel said their relationship began to further deteriorate
after Panettiere revealed she reconciled with on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson, who was with the "Heroes" star at the time of her death.
Panettiere, who shot to child stardom in the 2000s thanks to roles in "A Bug's Life," "Tiger Cruise," "Ice Princess" and "Racing Stripes," was open about her complicated dynamic with Vogel. The actress previously described her mother as her "boss" and said their relationship revolved entirely around her career from the time she was a baby.
Panettiere's upbringing in the spotlight, in addition to her struggles with substance abuse and mental health, is coming under renewed scrutiny amid the investigation of her death.
How did Hayden Panettiere die? Cause of death, actress dies after possible overdose
A cause of death for Panettiere has not yet been confirmed.
Medical assistance was administered to Panettiere upon authorities' arrival, but the actress was later pronounced dead, according to police, who added that no foul play is suspected. The actress allegedly went into cardiac arrest after a possible overdose, according to a 911 call obtained by Reuters, TMZ and other outlets.
When is Hayden Panettiere's funeral?
A public memorial service has not yet taken place for Panettiere.
Vogel previously confirmed to NBC News that the actress' body has been returned to the family.
Vogel told the outlet that funeral plans are currently being worked on.
Hayden Panettiere mother statement: Lesley Vogel speaks out, disputes memoir
In her interview with ABC's "Good Morning America," Vogel said she is still struggling to comprehend Panettiere's death, telling the morning talk show, "I still am not grasping this as real. It just doesn't … it doesn't feel real."
Regarding their estrangement, Vogel said that, on the advice of her therapist, she told Panettiere she could not remain in contact with her while her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, was part of her life.
"I needed it. I needed to have that pocket of time," Vogel said. "Of course, I thought it was going to be a pocket of time. I did not, by any stretch of the imagination, think that this was going to happen to Hayden."
Hayden Panettiere mother details actress' physical 'pain' before death
Vogel opened up about her daughter's health in a statement to The New York Times published Sunday, Aug. 23. She told the outlet that she visited Panettiere in Los Angeles about a year ago to help her daughter amid her ailing health.
"She was in pain," Vogel said. "She was afraid. She couldn't physically function properly."
Vogel added that she took Panettiere to see various doctors, as well as tried massage and acupuncture remedies to help her daughter cope with a feeling of "pins and needles" in her lower extremities, which made it difficult to walk. In March, Panettiere was seen at Los Angeles International Airport on crutches; she told photographers that she was recovering from pinched nerves in her lower back.
"She was courageous, she was a fighter," Vogel added. "But deep down inside, I think Hayden was extremely vulnerable."
DEA inquiry begins in Hayden Panettiere death investigation
As first reported by TMZ on Aug. 19, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is joining the multi-agency investigation into the circumstances of the "Ice Princess" star's death. ABC News also reported the development, citing "sources familiar with the matter."
The DEA declined to comment on the matter when reached by USA TODAY.
The agency, which operates under the U.S. Department of Justice, enforces the country's controlled substance laws and regulations. The other investigating agencies are the Greenville Police Department and the Greenville County Coroner's Office.
Hayden Panettiere, Brian Hickerson relationship explained
Panettiere began dating Brian Hickerson in 2018, following the end of her relationship with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko.
Over the years, the couple's on-again, off-again romance became increasingly complicated as he faced multiple arrests and criminal charges stemming from incidents involving the actress. In April 2021, Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend and was sentenced to 45 days in jail, four years of probation and 52 domestic violence classes.
Reports following Panettiere's death indicated the two had allegedly rekindled their romantic relationship privately. They reportedly traveled from Los Angeles to South Carolina the day before Panettiere died, according to E! News. Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were at the scene of Panettiere's death and called 911, according to a police report previously obtained by USA TODAY.
The report said Hickerson "did not become emotional" until medics declared the actress dead. He also showed police a "bag of medication" he alleged Panettiere was taking at the time.
Brian Hickerson breaks silence on Hayden Panettiere death
Hickerson released his first statement addressing the actress' death on Aug. 20 via his attorney, Sloan Ellis. TMZ was the first to report the news.
"Hayden's death remains under investigation, and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed," Ellis said in the statement obtained by USA TODAY. "As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play."
"Out of respect for Hayden's loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time," the statement concluded.
Hayden Panettiere's mother questions Brian Hickerson timeline
In another interview with the Daily Mail, Vogel questioned Hickerson's comments detailing Panettiere's death and said his account was "full of holes."
The actress' mother said Brian Hickerson told police that Panettiere was doing her makeup at the Airbnb at about 10:30 a.m. before he left to get something. Vogel said he later returned, took a nap, and did not tell police that he had seen or spoken with the "Nashville" star before his brother arrived.
"I don't know how you can take a nap near someone who's dying and not realize something's wrong. How do you do that?" Vogel told the British outlet. "When the EMTs came, it was for a cardiac arrest. People in cardiac arrest aren't just lying still. They make noise."
How did Hayden Panettiere's brother die?
Panettiere's death comes three and a half years after her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, died in February 2023 of an enlarged heart and aortic valve complications. He was 28.
In her memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning," Panettiere revealed that Jansen was battling drug addiction before his death, sharing that the "Tiger Cruise" actor was smoking crack and snorting heroin.
Neutrogena addresses Hayden Panettiere death after mounting backlash
Neutrogena shared an Aug. 20 statement regarding Panettiere's death. The company faced backlash over resurfaced comments from the actress, who previously alleged Neutrogena attempted to end a partnership with her after she spoke out about her postpartum depression.
"For more than a decade, Hayden was a valued member of our Neutrogena community," the statement read. "We are proud to have partnered with her and understand that we made her feel unsupported during a very difficult time. This is not what Neutrogena stands for or who we want to be."
The cosmetics brand also applauded Panettiere's "courage in sharing her challenges" and announced that it is making a "significant investment to a long-standing community health partner to help give more women access to the support they need, including care for postpartum depression."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Contributing: Sameen Chaudhry, Paris Close and Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Everything to know about Hayden Panettiere's death, investigation
