An angry Lesley Vogel slammed the “haters” who have criticized how she’s reacted to her daughter Hayden Panettiere’s death.
“I would say to the haters out there, ‘You don’t have a right to tell me how I mourn the loss of my second child. That’s my domain,’” the former soap actress said as she kicked off Monday’s interview with “Good Morning America” journalist Rhiannon Ally.
She also noted that she’s still processing Panettiere’s death, adding, “It will probably hit me later on.”
However, when she got the news, Vogel tearfully recalled that she was “numb” and “couldn’t feel anything” when she got the call about the “Heroes” actress’ death.
“I still am not grasping that this is real. It doesn’t feel real; my mind tells me it’s not at times. You know, it’s going to be a process,” she reiterated before asking for a minute to cry off-camera.
Vogel also said she wants her daughter to be remembered for “the talented, you know, beautiful, outgoing, intelligent woman she really was.”
In the same interview, she went after her daughter’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson.
The “Ice Princess” star died after suffering an apparent “overdose” at a luxury apartment complex in Greenville, SC, on Aug. 16. She was 36.
Hayden’s father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed “the tragic passing” with “profound sadness” in a statement to Page Six.
A police report obtained by Page Six on Aug. 17 revealed that Hayden — who struggled with “severe health issues” in recent months and was still in the throes of addiction — was taking a “bag of medication” at the time of her death. The types of medications were redacted from the report.
The report also revealed that Brian and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were with Hayden at the time of her death. According to the report, Brian “did not become emotional” until she was officially declared dead.
Since then, Vogel has been vocal about her animosity towards Brian, claiming he is somehow involved in her daughter’s death.
“I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments,” Vogel, 70, told NBC News on Aug. 18 in her first statement since Hayden’s death.
“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.”
Speaking about Brian, she 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 and that was Brian Hickerson.”
Vogel also revealed she would be talking to a private detective.
On Aug. 20, Brian spoke out via his lawyer on the loss of Hayden, defending himself from accusations that he played a role in her death.
“Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” his attorney, Sloan Ellis, told Page Six.
“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.”
After Vogel faced backlash over her statement due to their estranged relationship, she said in a new statement to Entertainment Tonight, “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.”
She continued, “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.”
“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 added. “My heart is with you, Hayden. Mama.”
She also cast doubt on Brian’s version of how Hayden died while they were staying in the same AirBnb and even claimed that he had “pawned”some of the actress’ belongings amid his ongoing financial issues.
While Brian has not commented on Hayden’s death aside from the statement through his attorney, Zach claimed that Brian used Narcan on the late actress and performed CPR on her when he discovered her unconscious.
“There are a lot of assumptions, speculations and accusations currently swirling,” Zach told TMZ on Friday.
The on-again, off-again, couple met in 2018 and had a tumultuous relationship. Brian was arrested multiple times for domestic violence against the “Remember the Titans” star, and she wrote about his abuse in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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