Hayden Panettiere’s estranged mother has spoken publicly about the actress following her sudden death at 36. Lesley Vogel reflected on her daughter’s career and the complex challenges she faced growing up in the spotlight.
Vogel spoke with NBC News after Panettiere’s death. She said, “I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments, 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. 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. I wish she had stayed true to herself because she had many incredible attributes.”
Vogel added that she believes Panettiere is now at peace alongside her late brother, Jansen, who passed away in 2023 at age 28.
Panettiere previously detailed painful claims about her childhood and career
Panettiere opened up about her difficult relationship with Vogel in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning. Released in May 2026, the book explored her experiences as a child performer and the intense pressures she faced early in her career.
The Sleepwalker star described Vogel as a “perfectionist” and made several claims about how her mother handled her work. Panettiere alleged that Vogel once superglued a fallen tooth back into her mouth so she would not miss a job. She also said Vogel pushed her toward more “girly” clothes, even though she preferred a tomboy style.
Vogel previously addressed those claims in a statement to Page Six. She said, “The present drama is partially to sell books…As many parents of entertainment children know, we are all too familiar with the painful observation of watching the self-destructive paths they sometimes choose. No parent hopes for this scenario; we want our children to be the best of themselves and live a peaceful, joyful life. Sadly, this is out of our control. You cannot save someone who does not want to be saved.”
Before her death, Panettiere also discussed their relationship with Us Weekly. She said, “Unfortunately, we don’t have a relationship right now.” However, the actress clarified that she did not want to rule out reconciliation.
Vogel’s comments come as the matter surrounding Panettiere’s death remains under investigation. She was found unresponsive at a Greenville, South Carolina, apartment on August 16. An autopsy found no signs of trauma, while her official cause of death remains pending toxicology results.