Hayden Panettiere’s mom slams ‘haters’ criticizing her reaction to daughter’s death: ‘I was numb’
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA: Lesley Vogel is reflecting on the loss of her two children, Hayden Panettiere and Jansen Panettiere, within a span of four years, while addressing criticism surrounding her difficult relationship with Hayden and reflecting on her daughter’s struggles and legacy.
Hayden’s autopsy has been completed, while the investigation into her death remains active and ongoing.
She had previously spoken openly about her struggles with substance abuse, which began during her teenage years in the entertainment industry, and entered treatment in 2020.
Lesley Vogel on Hayden Panettiere’s death
Vogel discussed the loss of both children during an August 24 interview on 'Good Morning America.' “It’s a process,” she said of losing her two children, adding, “And I think it will probably hit me later on.”
She also addressed criticism she has received over her difficult relationship with Hayden, from whom she had been estranged when the 'Nashville' alum died.
“I would say to the haters out there,” Vogel said, “you don’t have a right to tell me how I mourn the loss of my second child. That’s my domain.”
Vogel, who managed Hayden’s acting career into her teen years, recalled finding out that her daughter had died.
She shared, “I was numb. I was just numb, I just couldn’t feel anything. I still [am] not grasping this is real. It doesn’t feel real. My mind tells me it’s not at times. It’s going to be a process.”
Vogel further added, “I think you just have to find that inner strength, I have been knocked down throughout my life and I’m not complaining, because I have the strength to get back up. It’s how we get back up that defines who we are.”
She also spoke about how she wants Hayden to be remembered, “I want Hayden to be remembered for the talented, beautiful, outgoing, intelligent woman she really was, but I also want people to understand that it is my belief that she was suffering.”
Hayden Panettiere and her mother Lesley Vogel arrive at the InStyle/Warner Bros. after party for the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California (Lester Cohen/WireImage)Lesley Vogel on Hayden Panettiere’s final years
Vogel described Hayden’s situation as complex, questioning how someone with a successful career could still be suffering internally.
“Now, that doesn’t make sense,” she continued, “Because when you look at a beautiful career who’s got an incredible career, even though it had its ups and downs, but you look at that big picture and you go, ‘Why would you be suffering?"
She then added, "People don’t understand that you can have all of this, but that doesn’t mean that’s what’s going on [inside] matches.” Elsewhere in the interview, she claimed Hayden “had a very happy life” until she was cast in 'Heroes' at 16, which was when she “started seeing her going downhill.”
“As she got older, it wasn’t my voice anymore,” Vogel said. “I wasn’t in charge of her choices. I tried to give her the best advice I could. But again, you know, any young person, teen, they want to be liberated. And I get that. I did get that.”
Officials previously revealed that police and EMS personnel responded to a report of an “unresponsive female” in Greenville, South Carolina, at around 1:50 pm local time on August 16.
Medical assistance was administered, but Hayden was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Police said the case remained under investigation with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, while the preliminary investigation had not indicated signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance placed the 911 call.
