After Hayden's death, Lesley Vogel fires back at tabloids

**Lesley Vogel Responds to Public Criticism After Hayden Panettiere’s Death**

Lesley Vogel, the estranged mother of late actress Hayden Panettiere, issued a forceful rebuttal to criticism she received from media personalities following her daughter’s sudden death.

The comments were made in an interview that appeared on August 22, after several high‑profile hosts had questioned Vogel’s first public statement about the 36‑year‑old actress. Vogel, 70, expressed anger at what she called a lack of professionalism and compassion from those who had lost two children.

The controversy began when Vogel released her initial remarks about Hayden’s death on August 18. The statements were covered by NBC News, where Vogel reflected on her daughter’s struggles and the nature of their relationship.

A day later, CBS Mornings host Gayle King criticized Vogel’s comments on air, sparking a backlash that included further remarks from former Fox News reporter Megyn Kelly.

### Background & Context

Hayden Panettiere was found unresponsive in her home on August 16, with authorities suspecting an overdose. Her father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her passing to the press that same day, and the actress was 36 years old.

Vogel had long served as her manager during her early acting career in Nashville, and the two had a strained relationship that remained "in progress" until Hayden’s death, In a statement to NBC News, Vogel said, “I think it becomes very difficult to be true to yourself and I think Hayden sadly lost her way and I wish it were different.”

The day after Vogel’s remarks were released, CBS Mornings aired a segment where King, alongside colleagues Kelly O’Grady and Vladimir Duthiers, addressed the comments.

King said, “You know, guys, you read this and all I think is, ‘Thanks, Mom, for nothing,’” while Duthiers noted that Hayden had publicly acknowledged her own struggles and that “she cannot respond now.” King’s comments highlighted the complexity of a mother‑daughter relationship already marked by estrangement.

### What People Are Saying

In the August 22 interview, Vogel opened with a stark statement: “There is infinite sadness.” She went on to say, “But this is not the time for me to be weak,” adding that she had “too much to do for Hayden” and that she would only allow herself to mourn deeply after her responsibilities were met.

Vogel also called out the criticism as “shameful” and “unconscionable,” describing it as a lack of compassion toward a parent who has lost two children.

She added, “I was very, very hurt and deeply disappointed in the lack of professionalism, the lack of compassion in slamming someone who’s lost two children, without even a modicum of consideration. No one reached out to me before.”

Megyn Kelly, speaking on her podcast after the CBS segment, described Vogel as “a loser” who “failed at your job… You got an F as a parent.” She accused Vogel of profiting from her daughter’s career and not providing a safe or loving environment.

Kelly’s remarks were harshly received, with many viewers questioning the appropriateness of such criticism given the tragedy.

Gayle King’s on‑air comments drew mixed reactions. While some praised her for addressing the issue publicly, others felt she had overstepped by confronting a grieving mother in front of a live audience.

Duthiers defended King, stating that Hayden had openly discussed her struggles and that “she cannot respond now,” implying that the mother’s remarks were out of place.

### What Happens Next

The fallout from the CBS Mornings segment has already prompted a broader conversation about how media personalities engage with bereaved families. While there is no indication of legal action or formal complaints, the episode underscores the sensitivity required when discussing personal tragedy in public forums.

Vogel’s interview, published on August 22, indicates she intends to maintain a strong public presence while continuing to support her surviving family members, including her brother who she says is “with her brother and they’re at peace.”

As the public discourse continues, both sides have taken to social media and news outlets to articulate their positions. Whether the debate will lead to any formal resolution remains unclear, but it has shed light on the fine line between public commentary and private grief.

In sum, Lesley Vogel’s outspoken defense of her dignity and grief has reignited a contentious dialogue about media responsibility, family dynamics, and the complexities that accompany sudden loss.