Lesley Vogel slammed television hosts Gayle King and Megyn Kelly for criticizing her public statements following the death of her 36-year-old daughter, actress Hayden Panettiere, according to an interview with the Daily Mail. Vogel called the prominent media personalities’ separate broadcasts “shameful” and “unconscionable” after they targeted her handling of family matters during the tragedy.
Media Backlash and Mother’s Outspoken Defense
Panettiere died on Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina. Following the sudden loss, Vogel spoke openly to NBC News on Tuesday, criticizing her daughter’s on-again-off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and stating that her daughter had “lost her way” amid the pressures of the entertainment industry. Those initial remarks sparked sharp on-air rebukes from national media figures.
During Wednesday’s broadcast of CBS Mornings, host Gayle King criticized Vogel’s focus on her daughter’s struggles during an interview, stating on air, “Thanks, mom, for nothing,” according to CBS footage. Meanwhile, former Fox News reporter Megyn Kelly went further on her podcast, declaring on The Megyn Kelly Show that Vogel “failed at your job” and calling the grieving mother a “loser” for raising a child who did not feel safe or loved.
Vogel told the Daily Mail that neither host reached out to her prior to broadcasting their criticisms. “I was very, very hurt and deeply disappointed in the lack of professionalism, the lack of compassion in slamming someone who’s lost two children, without even a modicum of consideration,” Vogel said. Vogel previously lost her son, Jansen, in February 2023 at the age of 28.
Investigation Details and Brian Hickerson Involvement
Authorities and federal investigators are actively examining the circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death. The Daily Mail reported that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and a narcotics investigator have joined the local police death probe after first responders found the actress unresponsive in an armchair at a Greenville apartment where Brian Hickerson was staying. Dispatch audio and police records cited by CNN indicate paramedics located Narcan and a bag of Panettiere’s medications at the scene.
An autopsy performed Monday revealed no signs of trauma contributing to the death, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, but official cause and manner determinations await toxicology test results. Vogel has maintained that Hickerson enabled her daughter’s struggles throughout their volatile history, which included prior domestic violence arrests and a 2021 felony conviction for which Hickerson served probation.
Did you know? Hayden Panettiere published a candid memoir titled This Is Me: A Reckoning less than three months before her death, detailing her early career pressures and a history of domestic turbulence in her relationship with Hickerson.
Family Estrangement and Memoir Revelations
Panettiere’s death follows years of well-documented strain between the actress and her mother, who managed her career when she was growing up in the industry, during her childhood roles in Heroes, Nashville, and the Scream franchise. In her memoir, Panettiere wrote candidly about the heavy toll her relationship with Vogel took on her mental well-being. Page Six reported in May that Vogel had chosen a “no-contact route” with her daughter following “20 years of trauma” and professional guidance.
Despite their estrangement, Vogel expressed lingering grief over the path her daughter’s life took, telling NBC News, “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.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused Hayden Panettiere’s death?
The official cause and manner of death remain pending toxicological testing, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. An autopsy showed no signs of physical trauma, though dispatch audio indicated first responders addressed a suspected overdose.
Why did Lesley Vogel criticize Brian Hickerson?
According to Vogel’s statements to NBC News, Hickerson was present at the apartment when Panettiere died and had a history of enabling the actress and committing domestic violence against her.
Who criticized Vogel’s public comments?
CBS Mornings host Gayle King and podcast host Megyn Kelly both criticized Vogel on their respective programs for focusing on her daughter’s personal struggles immediately following her death.
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