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Hayden Panettiere‘s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, gave an update on the investigation into her daughter’s sudden death.
Vogel, 70, told NBC News on Wednesday, August 19, that she was informed that law enforcement is investigating the circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death. She claimed that a narcotics investigator has joined the case. Vogel said she is unsure of where things currently stand in the probe.
Panettiere’s father, Skip, confirmed the actress’ death on Sunday, August 16. She was 36.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” Skip said in a statement to Us at the time. “She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”
According to the Greenville Police Department, Panettiere was found “unresponsive” at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. The Nashville alum was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy was completed on Monday, August 17, and found that there were “no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed” to Panettiere’s death. An official cause of death has yet to be revealed amid the “pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies.”
Us later reported that Panettiere’s ex Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were at the apartment where the actress’ body was found. Brian, 37, provided a “bag of medication” that Panettiere was “currently on,” per an incident report obtained by Us.
The investigation into Panettiere’s death remains ongoing.
After news broke of Panettiere’s unexpected death, Vogel, who previously served as her daughter’s manager, spoke out.
“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,” Vogel told NBC News on Tuesday, August 18. “I wish she had stayed true to herself because she had many incredible attributes.”
Vogel also slammed Brian and his tumultuous history with Panettiere.
Hayden Panettiere‘s body has been released by the coroner’s office less than one week after her death at age 36. The Greenville Coroner’s Office in South Carolina confirms to Us that the actress’ body was transferred to a mortuary chosen by her family on Tuesday, August 18. The name of the mortuary was not disclosed. […]
“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,” she said.
Vogel’s remarks earned criticism as she and her daughter had their fair share of ups and downs. (Before her death, Panettiere wrote about her complicated relationship with her mother in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, which was released earlier this year.)
“You know, guys, you read this and all I think is, ‘Thanks, Mom, for nothing,’” Gayle King said of Vogel’s statement about Panettiere’s death during the Wednesday broadcast of CBS Mornings.
