Hayden Panettiere's mother Lesley Vogel has spoken publicly for the first time since the actress' death at the age of 36.
Vogel, who previously managed her daughter's career, opened up about Panettiere's life and struggles in a new interview with NBC News.
The former soap actress said she believed her daughter was hugely talented, but felt the pressures of growing up in the entertainment industry had taken a toll.
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"I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments," Vogel said.
"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."
Vogel added that she believed Panettiere had "lost her way" and said she wished her daughter had remained true to herself.
"I wish she had stayed true to herself because she had many incredible attributes," she said.
Hayden Panettiere attends 2009 movie premiere. Photo credit Tinseltozn, Shutterstock
The comments come after years of tension between the mother and daughter, with Panettiere revealing details about their strained relationship in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, which was released in May.
Panettiere had previously described Vogel as controlling during her early career and recalled the moment she decided to end their professional relationship when she was 19.
The actress said she had been filming Heroes when she told her mother that she no longer wanted her to be her manager and simply wanted her to be her mum.
According to Panettiere, Vogel responded: "You owe me."
Panettiere said she later came to believe that her mother was referring to money.
Lesley Vogel. Photo credit Jaguar PS, Shutterstock
She also recalled feeling disappointed that Vogel did not pursue a closer mother-daughter relationship after their professional relationship ended.
In the months before her death, Panettiere acknowledged that she and her mother were not close, although she remained open to the possibility of reconciliation.
Vogel had previously responded to the claims made in Panettiere's memoir, suggesting that some of the controversy was connected to the promotion of the book.
In an interview in May, she described what she called a personality "style" involving "a need for control, entitlement and a lack of empathy".
Hayden Panettiere pictured pregnant at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards, 2014. Photo credit Jaguar PS SHutterstock
Now, following her daughter's death, Vogel has also spoken about the circumstances surrounding Panettiere's final days.
She told NBC News that she had very little information about the ongoing investigation but planned to speak with a detective.
Vogel also criticised Panettiere's former on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson, who was reportedly at the apartment when the actress died.
"This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death," Vogel said.
"And that was Brian Hickerson."
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According to a police report, Hickerson and his brother Zach were at the South Carolina apartment at the time Panettiere was found dead.
The report also stated that Panettiere had been taking a "bag of medication" at the time, although the types of medication were redacted.
Authorities have not confirmed a cause of death.
Panettiere's father, Skip Panettiere, previously confirmed her death in a statement, describing it as a "tragic passing".
Hayden Panettiere and brother Jansen Panettiere. S Buckley, Shutterstock
The actress had been open about a number of personal struggles throughout her life, including addiction and grief following the death of her younger brother Jansen Panettiere in 2023.
Jansen died unexpectedly at the age of 28 after suffering from cardiomegaly, an enlarged heart, along with aortic valve complications.
Vogel referenced her late son during her latest interview, saying she takes comfort in believing that Hayden and Jansen are now together.
Jansen Panettiere & mother Lesley Vogel. Photo credit Jaguar PS, Shutterstock
Panettiere had previously spoken about feeling guilty over the impact her acting career had on her relationship with her family.
During an interview with Jay Shetty, she recalled her mother once telling her: "You're the reason why I'm missing my son growing up."
Panettiere said the comment was "a punch in the gut."
Despite their difficult relationship, Vogel said she believed her daughter had many positive qualities and praised her talent.
The actress, best known for roles in Heroes and Nashville, died on August 16 at the age of 36.
An investigation into her death is ongoing.
