Hayden Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, stated that she issued an ultimatum to her late daughter regarding her relationship with Brian Hickerson during their final phone conversation. Vogel explained on “Good Morning America” that she told Panettiere they could not maintain their relationship if the actress continued to be with Hickerson.
Vogel shared that she made this decision on the advice of her therapist, seeking a period of separation from Panettiere. "I needed it. I needed to have that pocket of time," Vogel said, acknowledging she initially believed it would only be a temporary estrangement. "Of course, I thought it was gonna be a pocket of time."
She recounted a period one year prior to Panettiere's death when the "Heroes" star allegedly expressed a desire to end her relationship with Hickerson, whom Vogel described as "toxic." According to Vogel, Panettiere recognized the need to remove Hickerson from her life.
However, after approximately six weeks, Panettiere reportedly distanced herself from her mother, prompting Vogel to return to her home in Florida. Subsequently, Panettiere contacted Vogel to reveal she had reconciled with Hickerson. "When I got the phone call from her saying I’m going to be with the person I love… I just lost it," Vogel stated. "I could not believe she had gone that far back, that he had been successful in reeling her back in with all the things he had done to her."
Panettiere died on August 16 in Greenville, South Carolina, from an apparent overdose. She was 36 years old. A police report from August 17 indicated that Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present at the time of her death. The report noted that Brian Hickerson did not show significant emotion until Panettiere was officially pronounced dead. Brian Hickerson also presented police with a "bag of medication" that Panettiere, who had a history of addiction and health issues, was reportedly taking.
Since Panettiere's passing, Vogel has publicly expressed her opposition to Hickerson, who began dating Panettiere in 2018. "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 on August 18.
Vogel also claimed to The New York Times that Hickerson had pawned some of Panettiere’s possessions, including a vintage guitar, and stored them in a storage unit.
Hickerson, through his lawyer, Sloan Ellis, addressed Panettiere's death and denied any role in it. "Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed," Ellis stated. "As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play." The statement added, "Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time."
Panettiere and Hickerson had a contentious relationship, marked by multiple domestic violence arrests for Hickerson. Panettiere detailed his alleged abuse in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” Reports suggest Panettiere kept some friends unaware of her reconciliation with Hickerson before her death.
For those affected by issues related to domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or by texting START to 88788.