Actress Hayden Panettiere had been anticipating spending her 37th birthday with her daughter, Kaya, prior to her death on Sunday. Panettiere, who would have celebrated her birthday on August 21, had been planning a trip to Germany to visit her 11-year-old daughter.
A source close to the "Nashville" star told Page Six exclusively that Panettiere was "so excited to see her and was telling everyone how much she was looking forward to spending time with her." The planned visit was intended to coincide with her birthday week.
Panettiere's hairstylist and friend, Erick Orellana, confirmed that the actress had spoken about wanting to take a vacation and see her daughter, who he described as "the absolute light of her life."
Kaya has resided in Ukraine with her father, Wladimir Klitschko, Panettiere's ex-fiancé, since 2018. Panettiere had relinquished custody of Kaya during a period of struggle with postpartum depression and addiction. Despite this, Panettiere maintained an amicable relationship with Klitschko and had recently spoken about the "really intense, incredible bond" she shared with her daughter.
Panettiere died Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina, at the age of 36. Her family confirmed her passing, stating that police and emergency personnel responded to a report of an unresponsive woman. Despite receiving medical assistance, Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene. The Greenville Police Department and Greenville County Coroner’s Office are investigating her death, with a preliminary investigation indicating no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. A cause of death has not yet been officially determined, though an autopsy reportedly showed no signs of trauma.
Panettiere is survived by her daughter Kaya and her parents.