What really happened? Why Hayden Panettiere's mother thinks her boyfriend is lying to the police

H ayden Panettiere 's mother, Lesley Vogel , has publicly challenged the account given by Brian Hickerson about the circumstances surrounding the actress's death, arguing that unanswered questions remain about what happened during her final hours.

Panettiere , known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, died at 36 after she was found unresponsive at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16.

Hickerson , her on-and-off boyfriend, was at the property with his brother, Zach Hickerson , according to a police report. Authorities have said there were no initial signs of trauma or foul play, while the investigation remains ongoing.

Vogel's concerns center on the timeline Hickerson reportedly gave police. According to her account of what she learned from an officer at the scene, Hickerson said he had last seen Panettiere doing her makeup before leaving.

He allegedly returned later, went to sleep and was awakened when Zach arrived. The brothers then reportedly discovered Panettiere unresponsive. That version of events has left Vogel unconvinced.

Speaking with the Daily Mail, she questioned how Hickerson could have been sleeping near Panettiere without realizing something was seriously wrong.

She also focused on the presence of Narcan at the property, a medication commonly used to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

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.”

Those are allegations from Panettiere's mother, rather than established findings from investigators. The circumstances surrounding the Narcan have nevertheless become an important part of the public discussion.

Conflicting accounts emerge as investigation continues

Zach Hickerson has offered a different version of what happened. He said he went to the Airbnb after he could not reach either Hayden or Brian and eventually entered the property with Brian .

According to Zach, they discovered Panettiere unconscious, prompting him to call 911 while Brian administered Narcan.

Zach has strongly pushed back against speculation about what happened.

“There are a lot of assumptions, speculations and accusations currently swirling,” Zach told TMZ. He added that the truth would “come out” as authorities complete their investigation.

Brian Hickerson , meanwhile, has not publicly offered a detailed account himself. His attorney, Sloan Ellis , has emphasized that the investigation is still underway and asked that the process be allowed to continue.

The attorney previously stated, “Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed.”

The case has drawn additional attention because of the complicated history between Panettiere and Hickerson . Their relationship began in 2018 and was marked by serious allegations of domestic violence.

Hickerson was convicted in connection with an assault involving Panettiere and served jail time. Panettiere also discussed the relationship and her struggles with addiction in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning.

Vogel has repeatedly expressed her belief that Hickerson had a damaging influence on her daughter. She previously said, “This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death,” referring directly to Hickerson.

In another statement, she 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.”

Authorities, however, have not publicly concluded that Hickerson caused or contributed to Panettiere's death. A preliminary investigation found no evidence of trauma or foul play, while toxicology and other investigative work are expected to provide more answers.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has also become involved in the investigation, adding another layer to a case that remains unresolved.

For now, Vogel's claims remain allegations and suspicions rather than proven facts. The conflicting accounts surrounding Panettiere's final hours are likely to receive further scrutiny as investigators work to establish exactly what happened inside the South Carolina Airbnb.

Panettiere's death has left her family, friends and fans searching for answers, but the most important questions, including the precise cause and circumstances of her death, remain in the hands of investigators.