Lesley Vogel Breaks Down Over Loss of Star Hayden Panettiere & 2 Kids

**Lesley Vogel Opens Up About the Sudden Losses of Her Two Children**

Lesley Vogel, 70, sat down with ABC News reporter Rhiannon Ally on *Good Morning America* on Monday, August 24, to talk about the deaths of her two children. She spoke about the profound grief she feels after losing her daughter, Hayden Panettiere, at 36 and her son, Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023 at age 28.

The interview aired just eight days after news broke of Hayden’s death.

In the interview, Vogel said, “It’s a process. And I think it will probably hit me later on.” She described the numbness she felt when she first learned of Hayden’s passing, adding, “I was numb. I was just numb.” The family’s tragedy has put a spotlight on how public figures cope with sudden loss.

The conversation also highlighted Vogel’s role in Hayden’s early career. She served as the actress’s manager while she was a child actor and model. Despite their estrangement prior to Hayden’s death, Vogel remained deeply involved in her daughter’s life until the end.

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## Background & Context

Lesley Vogel has been candid about the emotional toll of losing her children.

She told the interviewer that “I think you just have to find that inner strength.” Vogel emphasized that she has been knocked down throughout her life and refuses to complain, noting, “It’s how we get back up that defines who we are.” Her resilience is a recurring theme in her public statements.

Vogel also shared memories of Hayden’s early career.

She recalled watching her daughter cast as Claire Bennett on *Heroes* at age 16, describing the experience as a bright moment. , “So here she was, the star of a major TV series.” She went on to note that by about 17, she began seeing signs of decline, stating, “I started seeing her going downhill.” The mother has long expressed concern about Hayden’s well‑being.

The actress’s struggle with pain and fear was also mentioned. Vogel told *The New York Times* that a year before Hayden’s death she had spent time with the actress in Los Angeles, saying, “She was in pain. She was afraid.

She couldn’t physically function properly.” These remarks paint a picture of a daughter who faced significant personal challenges despite a successful career.

Vogel expressed a desire for her daughter’s legacy to reflect the full scope of her talent and personality. “I want Hayden to be remembered for the talented, beautiful, outgoing, intelligent woman she really was,” she said.

She added, “I also want people to understand that it is my belief that she was suffering.” Vogel insists that a public understanding of her daughter’s inner life is crucial.

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## What People Are Saying

Public reaction to Vogel’s comments has been mixed.

After her remarks, Gayle King publicly criticized the mother’s statement that Hayden had “lost her way,” saying she had not stayed “true to herself.” In response, Vogel told the *Daily Mail* on Saturday, August 22 that she was “very, very hurt and deeply disappointed” by the criticism’s “lack of professionalism” and compassion.

Vogel called the comments “shameful” and “unconscionable.”

The circumstances of Hayden’s death were confirmed by her father, Skip Panettiere, in a statement to *Us* on August 16. He noted that his daughter was found unresponsive in a South Carolina apartment and that she had survived her parents and her 11‑year‑old daughter, Kaya, who shared her with ex‑fiancé Wladimir Klitschko.

The statement did not provide a cause of death.

An autopsy has shown “no signs of trauma” contributing to Hayden’s passing, . That report also said Hayden’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were present at the scene. Brian’s attorney told *Us* that there were “no signs of foul play” amid an ongoing investigation.

Zach Hickerson described the emergency efforts he and Brian made. He told ** that they “immediately called 911” after realizing Hayden was unconscious. He added, “Brian gave her Narcan.

We then jointly performed CPR while 911 was on speaker until Fire and EMS arrived.” The account also mentioned the use of Narcan, a nasal spray used to reverse opioid emergencies.

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## What Happens Next

The investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death is still in progress. Authorities are continuing to gather facts and assess all potential causes. No official cause of death has yet been announced, though the autopsy report indicates no trauma was involved.

Lesley Vogel has continued to speak publicly about her daughter’s memory. She says she wants people to recognize Hayden as “the talented, beautiful, outgoing, intelligent woman she really was.” Vogel also stresses that “people don’t understand that you can have all of this, but that doesn’t mean that’s what’s going on inside matches.”

Family and friends are planning memorials for Hayden, though no specific dates have been released. Vogel has expressed a desire to honor her daughter’s life while ensuring her legacy reflects the complexity she faced. The family remains private about the details of any public memorial services.

In the days ahead, the focus will remain on resolving the ongoing investigation, understanding the cause of death, and honoring Hayden Panettiere’s legacy. The public is urged to respect the family's privacy as they navigate this difficult period.