Wladimir Klitschko, former fiancé of the late actress Hayden Panettiere, has expressed his grief following her death. Panettiere, 36, passed away on August 16. Klitschko, a boxing legend, shared his sorrow in a statement posted to Facebook, acknowledging Panettiere's significant role in his life and as the mother of their daughter, Kaya.
"Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief. The announcement of Hayden’s tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon," Klitschko wrote. "Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya."
He reflected on her career, noting her immense talent and the challenges she faced within a demanding industry. Klitschko assured their daughter that he would always speak of her mother with respect. He extended his condolences to Panettiere's parents, friends, and fans, emphasizing that young, talented individuals should not depart this life prematurely. He also requested privacy for his family during this difficult period.
Panettiere and Klitschko began dating in 2009 and became engaged in 2013. They welcomed their daughter, Kaya, in December 2014. The couple separated in 2018.
In 2018, Panettiere made the difficult decision to relinquish full custody of Kaya, then two years old, due to struggles with postpartum depression and addiction. Kaya went to live with Klitschko in Ukraine at that time. Panettiere had spoken candidly about the emotional toll of feeling "completely incapable" of caring for her daughter, a sentiment she described in relation to her memoir "This Is Me: A Reckoning." Despite these challenges, she and Klitschko developed a solid co-parenting relationship, and Panettiere had expressed joy over her visits with Kaya in Ukraine.
Authorities responded to a cardiac arrest call at an apartment in Greenville County, South Carolina, on April 16, following what was described as an apparent overdose. Resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful, and Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. The coroner's office reported no signs of foul play or trauma. A cause of death has not yet been released. Panettiere was staying at an Airbnb and had reportedly traveled to South Carolina from Los Angeles with her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, the day prior.