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A private memorial honoring the late actress Hayden Panettiere is set to take place this weekend in Malibu, drawing close family, friends, and colleagues to pay tribute. However, sources reveal that Hayden’s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, along with her former boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson, have not been invited to the service.
The gathering, expected to host around 150 attendees, will be held at a local church on Saturday, September 19. Hayden’s father, Skip Panettiere, is among those confirmed to attend. The choice of Malibu reflects Hayden’s deep connection to the ocean and whales, a meaningful setting for those who knew her best.
Tensions within Hayden’s personal circle have come to light in recent weeks. Lesley Vogel publicly implicated a “toxic individual” in contributing to the actress’s struggles, though she stopped short of naming Brian Hickerson directly. She expressed concern that family efforts to intervene in Hayden’s life were unsuccessful.
During her final years, Hayden and her mother had a strained and distant relationship, which was openly acknowledged prior to the actress’s death. Meanwhile, Brian Hickerson recently spoke out for the first time since Hayden’s passing, offering a brief and somber response when asked how he was coping.
Speaking at a gas station in Greenville, South Carolina, he said, “How do you think I’m doing?” and later thanked the interviewer for their condolences.
Law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Hayden’s death on August 16, when she was found unresponsive at a South Carolina residence where both Brian and Zach were present. Emergency responders attempted resuscitation efforts but pronounced her dead at the scene. An autopsy revealed no signs of trauma, and authorities have yet to officially determine the cause or manner of death.
Preliminary information suggests the possibility that Hayden may have ingested a counterfeit oxycodone pill containing fentanyl, though this remains an unconfirmed theory pending toxicology results. The Drug Enforcement Administration has also conducted a search of Hayden’s Los Angeles home, uncovering years of alleged communications between the actress and a suspected drug supplier.
In recent days, Brian Hickerson was briefly detained following an altercation at a Greenville bar but was released without charges; his brother Zach faced a disorderly conduct charge. Importantly, neither has been accused of involvement in Hayden’s death, and police maintain there is no evidence of foul play.
As the investigation progresses, those close to Hayden will come together by the sea to honor her memory-a gathering notably absent of some of the most contentious figures from her final years.