Lesley Vogel Slams 'Haters' Judging Her Grief After Hayden Panettiere's Death

Lesley Vogel is pushing back forcefully against online commentators following the death of her daughter, actress Hayden Panettiere. Appearing in a sit-down interview with *Good Morning America*, the star's mother directly addressed the wave of internet scrutiny surrounding her response to the tragedy, making it clear that public spectators have no right to police how she processes her personal heartbreak. During the morning show appearance, Vogel recounted her last conversations with her 36-year-old daughter and opened up about the initial shock of hearing the news on Monday. She admitted that the devastating phone call left her feeling totally "numb," noting that navigating the aftermath is an ongoing, step-by-step emotional journey that will likely hit her even harder as time goes on.

How did Hayden Panettiere's mother respond to critics?

When asked how she was coping in the immediate wake of the news, Vogel acknowledged that managing her emotions remains a daily struggle. However, she quickly pivoted to confront those sending judgment her way, firing off a sharp message to internet critics who have weighed in on her public demeanor during such a painful period. Addressing her detractors directly, Vogel insisted that outsiders have zero business giving advice or passing judgment on her mourning process. She asserted that no one has the right to tell her how to grieve the loss of her second child, firmly stating that her emotional recovery is entirely her own domain.

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What happened to Hayden Panettiere's brother Jansen Panettiere?

The heartbreaking news comes just two years after another severe tragedy rocked the family. Back in 2023, Vogel suffered the tragic loss of her 28-year-old son, actor Jansen Panettiere, who passed away suddenly from heart complications. Facing the reality of losing two children in such a short window of time has placed a heavy burden on the grieving mother. When pressed on how she finds the strength to keep moving forward after such profound sorrow, Vogel pointed to her own deep internal resilience. She explained that life has repeatedly knocked her down over the years, but she chooses not to complain, focusing instead on her proven ability to pick herself up and carry on. Vogel emphasized her belief that a person's character is defined not by how many times they fall, but by how they rise after being knocked down. Although reports confirm that Panettiere and her mother were estranged at the time of the actress's death, Vogel's televised appearance made clear that she intends to protect her emotional boundaries while navigating this devastating loss.