Holly Robinson Peete Criticizes Hayden Panettiere’s Mother After Actress’s Death

Actress Holly Robinson Peete has criticized Hayden Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, following comments Vogel made about her daughter after Panettiere’s death at age 36.

Panettiere, known for her roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” was found unresponsive at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, Aug. 16. Authorities have said there were no signs of trauma, but the cause and manner of death have not yet been determined. Further tests are still pending.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Peete questioned Vogel’s description of her daughter’s struggles. Vogel had told NBC News that Panettiere was highly talented but suggested that young people who grow up in the entertainment industry can face serious challenges and sometimes “find the wrong path.”

Peete said Vogel should have taken more responsibility for the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s life.

“If you’re not gonna take accountability for the fact that you put her in the business that eventually messed her up, then nothing you say has any integrity,” Peete wrote.

Peete also criticized the tone of Vogel’s statement, saying she expected to hear more about Vogel’s love for her daughter.

“She didn’t even say ‘I will miss my daughter’ or ‘I loved my daughter the best way I could,’” Peete wrote.

She added that Vogel could have used the moment to show that she was a caring mother. Peete also referred to the death of Panettiere’s younger brother, Jansen, who died in 2023 at age 28.

The comments come after years of public discussion about Panettiere’s struggles with addiction, her family relationships and her turbulent relationship with Brian Hickerson.

Panettiere had previously spoken openly about her struggles with alcohol and opioids. She also discussed difficult parts of her relationship with Hickerson in her memoir, “This Is Me,” which was released earlier this year.

Vogel had criticized the memoir in an interview with Page Six, saying she believed parts of the book came from an “entitled” perspective. She also made comments about a personality “style” involving control, entitlement and a lack of empathy, without directly naming Panettiere.

Hickerson, meanwhile, has acknowledged his history with Panettiere and previously discussed the domestic violence allegations described in her memoir. He also strongly criticized Vogel, calling her “by far one of the worst people I’ve ever met in my life.”

Television journalist Gayle King has also questioned Vogel’s public comments. King, who interviewed Panettiere in May in what became her final interview, described Vogel’s statement as “sad” on Wednesday’s episode of “CBS Mornings.”

Panettiere had spoken positively about writing her memoir during her final interview with Entertainment Weekly. She said the project was different from her previous work because there was “nobody there to direct me or give me real guidance.”

“I just had to have a lot of trust in myself,” she said.

She also admitted that finishing the book brought mixed emotions. “I’m excited that the book’s done, but I’m also terrified all at the same time,” Panettiere said.

The investigation into her death remains ongoing. According to the coroner’s office, emergency personnel were called to the Greenville apartment at about 2 p.m. Sunday. Panettiere was found unresponsive, and investigators found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death.

“The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies,” the coroner’s statement said. “This investigation remains active and ongoing.”

As questions surrounding Panettiere’s death continue, her public history of addiction, family conflict and life in the entertainment industry has once again come under intense scrutiny.