Wladimir Klitschko, the former fiancé of the late actress Hayden Panettiere, shared a heartfelt tribute on what would have been her 37th birthday on Friday. Panettiere, 36, was found unresponsive in a South Carolina apartment on Sunday and was later declared dead following a suspected overdose. Her on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson was present at the scene when Panettiere was pronounced deceased.
Sharing a photograph of the actress, Klitschko, 50, wrote, "Today is Hayden’s birthday. Instead of celebrating the way we had planned, today we celebrate her life, her spirit, and the love she brought into this world."
He expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from Panettiere's fans and friends, stating, "At a time filled with so much sadness, your kindness has reminded me that there is still so much good in humanity." Klitschko urged readers to "think about LOVE. Reach out to a friend. Forgive someone. Be kind." He concluded his message with, "Happy Birthday, Hayden. You are loved, you are missed, and you will never be forgotten."
The former couple share a daughter, Kaya, who was born in 2015. In 2018, when Kaya was three, Panettiere signed full custody of their daughter to Klitschko amid her struggles with postpartum depression and addiction. Klitschko subsequently moved their daughter to his native Ukraine.
"Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief," Klitschko wrote in a statement. "The announcement of Hayden’s tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon. Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya."
He added, "She built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry. Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives... To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was... I extend my deepest condolences to Hayden’s parents, her friends, and her fans, who are also grieving today. Young and talented people like Hayden should not leave this world so soon... I ask everyone to please respect our family’s feelings and privacy during this incredibly difficult time."
A post-mortem examination revealed no signs of trauma on Panettiere's body, although her official cause of death is pending further investigation. Narcan, a nasal spray used to reverse opioid overdoses, was found at the South Carolina property. While it remains unclear if Narcan was administered, 911 audio indicated that Panettiere had gone into cardiac arrest following a suspected overdose.
Panettiere began her acting career as a child, with early roles in soap operas and wider recognition for her part in the 2000 film "Remember the Titans." She gained significant fame for her role as Claire Bennet in the television series "Heroes" and later starred as Juliette Barnes in "Nashville," earning two Golden Globe nominations for her performance. Her film credits also include "Bring It On: All or Nothing" and the "Scream" franchise.
In her final interview in May, Panettiere spoke about her decision to grant custody of Kaya to Klitschko, stating it was a difficult choice made during a challenging period. She described a "horrible cycle" of battling depression, anxiety, alcoholism, and substance abuse, and her efforts to find her way back. Panettiere maintained a strong connection with her daughter, whom she spoke to regularly.
A representative for Panettiere confirmed her death, stating her family would remember her as an "incredible light" who brought "immeasurable love and joy." Her father, Skip Panettiere, released a statement sharing his profound sadness and describing his daughter as a "force of nature."