Hayden Panettiere's mother shocks everyone blaming “toxic person” for daughter's death

The public fallout surrounding Hayden Panettiere ’s death has taken another turn after her mother, Lesley Vogel , issued a new statement defending her relationship with the actress and again pointing to what she described as a damaging influence in her daughter’s life.

Vogel , 70, spoke out Thursday after her initial comments about Panettiere’s death drew criticism from figures including Gayle King and Holly Robinson Peete .

This time, she focused more directly on the estrangement between mother and daughter and insisted the distance between them did not reflect a lack of affection.

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

She didn't identify that person in the new statement. Authorities haven't established that anyone caused Panettiere ’s death, and police have said there were no signs of foul play. The official cause remains under investigation.

Vogel says family tried to intervene

The remarks follow an earlier interview in which Vogel specifically named Brian Hickerson , Panettiere ’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, while discussing concerns the family had about her life.

“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 previously said. “And that was Brian Hickerson.”

Hickerson was reportedly at the Greenville, South Carolina, apartment where Panettiere , 36, was found unresponsive on Sunday. His brother, Zach Hickerson , was reported to have discovered her while Brian was sleeping in another room.

The actress and Hickerson had been linked since 2018, and their relationship had previously involved domestic violence cases. Vogel said the family had tried unsuccessfully to pull Panettiere away from what she considered a harmful situation.

“Hayden was a beautiful and talented young woman who unfortunately became involved with the wrong person, and although her family tried to extricate him from her life, we were unable to be successful,” she said.

Backlash prompts more personal message

Vogel ’s original remarks prompted a sharp response from King , who discussed them on CBS Mornings.

“You know guys, you read this and all I can think is ‘Thanks mom, for nothing,’” King said.

Robinson Peete also criticized the tone of the statement and questioned whether Vogel had sufficiently acknowledged her own relationship with her daughter.

The follow-up statement appeared designed, at least in part, to address that criticism.

“I hope all remember Hayden for the beautiful human being inside her and her gift to the world from her time on this earth,” Vogel said. “My heart is with you, Hayden. Mama.”

An autopsy has been completed and toxicology testing remains pending. Vogel also pointed to the involvement of a narcotics investigator as evidence, in her view, that important questions remain.

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

Until investigators release their findings, however, any claim about another person contributing to Panettiere ’s death remains unproven.