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 daughterfor 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.
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.”
“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.
“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.”
“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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