Hayden Panettiere's mother, Lesley Vogel, and her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, have not been invited to a memorial service honoring the late actress in Malibu, California, on Saturday, according to American entertainment website TMZ.
The actress's father, Skip Panettiere, along with close friends and influential Hollywood figures, will gather at a church in the coastal community to celebrate her life. Panettiere, who was born in 1989, died on August 16 in Greenville, South Carolina.
Organizers chose the seaside city of Malibu for the posthumous tribute in recognition of Panettiere's longstanding love for the ocean and whales. TMZ reported that Hickerson and his brother, Zack Hickerson, understand the reason for their exclusion, acknowledging that the gathering represents a delicate time for her family.
Emergency Response and Death Investigation
Emergency responders discovered Panettiere unconscious after arriving at her apartment on the day of her death. According to TMZ, Hickerson and his brother were both present inside the residence when emergency workers arrived at the scene. Responsible authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of death.
In recent days, American news outlets including TMZ reported that investigators suspect Panettiere may have ingested oxycodone contaminated with fentanyl on the morning she died.
Troubled Relationship and Family Estrangement
Following Panettiere's death, Vogel spoke out regarding her daughter's turbulent personal life. She accused Hickerson of being toxic and stated that Panettiere had become involved with the wrong person. The mother and daughter had been estranged from one another in recent years.
Panettiere and Hickerson first began dating in 2018. Their relationship experienced several difficult periods over the following years, during which Hickerson became the target of domestic violence allegations.
Television Career and Screen Roles
Panettiere first rose to global fame as a young actress, earning international recognition for her role as high school cheerleader Claire Bennet in the popular television drama Heroes. She later received critical acclaim playing country music star Juliette Barnes in the drama series Nashville, and appeared in films including Remember the Titans and the Scream horror series.
