Hayden Panettiere’s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, has revealed what she claims she told authorities at the scene of her daughter’s death after the late actress was found unresponsive from an apparent drug overdose.
“[The officer] said to me, ‘Well, what do you think about Brian Hickerson?’ And I said, ‘I think he’s culpable,’” Vogel, 70, told the Daily Mail in an extensive interview published on Saturday, August 22, alleging that her daughter’s on-again, off-again boyfriend played some type of role in her untimely death.
Us has reached out to Hickerson, 37, for comment.
Panettiere died on Sunday, August 16, after she was found unresponsive at a residence in South Carolina by Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson. Emergency services arrived at the scene to perform “advanced cardiac life support measures,” but the actress was pronounced dead that afternoon. Narcan, a life-saving over-the-counter medication that can reverse the effects of a drug overdose, was reportedly found at the scene.
An autopsy was completed and found “no signs of trauma that would have contributed” to Panettiere’s death, per the coroner’s office. The cause and manner of her death “remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies.”
While speaking out in the wake of the actress’ death, Zach claimed he and his brother tried to save the actress’ life the night she died.
“There are a lot of assumptions, speculations and accusations currently swirling,” Zach told TMZ on Friday, August 21. “The truth will come out as the authorities complete and release additional details from the investigation. And that is important because the people who loved and adored Hayden deserve the truth.”
He continued, “When we went in and tried to wake Hayden up for lunch, we realized she was unconscious. I immediately called 911, and Brian gave her Narcan. We then jointly performed CPR while 911 was on speaker until Fire and EMS arrived. At that point, we watched as they tried every measure possible to save her life.”
Zach told the outlet that he is “beyond heartbroken and devastated” by Hayden’s death.
“Hayden was one of my dearest and closest friends that I loved and cared about for the last eight years,” he concluded. “Out of respect for her loved ones, the speculation and sensationalism of her death needs to end until the facts can be released from the investigation.”
The New York Times reported on Thursday, August 20, that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was investigating Panettiere’s death.
While speaking to the Daily Mail, the actress’ mom shared her doubts about Zach’s claims and the alleged timeline of events that ultimately led to her daughter’s death.
“I think there will be a discrepancy in the timeline, meaning Brian had to go out and buy the Narcan while he left her there because I do not believe he happened to have two bottles of Narcan on him, like he carried them around in his back pocket,” she alleged. “When the EMTs came it was for a cardiac arrest. People in cardiac arrest aren’t just lying still. They make noise.”
She further claimed, “I think Brian called his brother. My opinion. I think he knew she was deceased.”
Us has reached out to Brian on multiple occasions for comment on Vogel’s many claims regarding his alleged contribution to her daughter’s death but have not heard back.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
