The public discussion surrounding the death of actor Hayden Panettiere has grown after her mother, Lesley Vogel, responded to comments made by television host Gayle King. Vogel said she was deeply hurt by King's remarks about her public statement following her daughter's death. She said the criticism came without anyone contacting her first to understand her perspective. Hayden Panettiere died on August 16 after she was found in cardiac arrest at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina. She was 36 years old. Authorities have said the investigation into her death is ongoing. After the news became public, Vogel shared a statement about her daughter. She described Hayden as a talented person and said growing up in the entertainment industry can be difficult for young actors. Vogel also said she believed her daughter had lost her way during her life. She added that she wished things had been different and hoped Hayden had stayed true to herself. She ended her statement by saying she believed Hayden was now at peace with her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023 at the age of 28 from an enlarged heart. King later discussed Vogel's comments during a broadcast of CBS Mornings. She questioned why a mother would choose those words after her daughter's death and said the statement made her sad. King said she felt Vogel had missed an opportunity to leave behind a different public message about her daughter. Vogel has now rejected that criticism. In an interview published after the broadcast, she said King's comments lacked compassion and professionalism. Vogel said she was especially hurt because she has now lost two children. She said no one from the program contacted her before criticizing her statement. She called the situation shameful and said she could not understand why her comments were judged without any conversation or context. Representatives for King have not publicly responded to Vogel's latest remarks. The exchange has also renewed attention on the difficult relationship between Hayden Panettiere and her mother. Hayden had spoken openly in recent months about being estranged from Vogel. She said the relationship had been complicated for many years. Vogel managed Hayden's career from childhood as the actor became one of Hollywood's best-known young stars. In interviews earlier this year, Hayden said she eventually ended both their professional and personal relationship. She explained that she wanted her mother to be a parent instead of a manager. Hayden said she made that decision while working on the television series Heroes. She recalled asking her mother to step away from business matters and simply be her mother. In her memoir, Hayden described that conversation as one of the most painful moments of her life. She wrote that she wanted a relationship without contracts, producers, or the pressures of the entertainment industry. According to Hayden's account, Vogel refused that request and told her that she owed her. Hayden wrote that the exchange marked a turning point in their relationship. Despite the estrangement, Hayden also described her mother as a complex person who had a major influence on her life. She said being honest about their relationship was important because it shaped who she became. The renewed public disagreement has sparked mixed reactions online. Some people have supported Vogel's right to grieve in her own way, while others agreed with King's criticism of the original statement. The debate has focused on how family members speak about loved ones after a public tragedy and how those comments are discussed in the media. Panettiere's death has also prompted conversations about the pressures faced by child actors and the lasting impact of growing up in the entertainment industry. For now, Vogel says her focus remains on grieving the loss of her daughter and honoring her memory. Authorities have not released additional information about the investigation into Hayden Panettiere's death, and the family has not announced any further public statements.