Klitschko Alleges Jewelry Pawned by 'Non-Family Member' in Panettiere Estate Dispute
Former boxer Wladimir Klitschko claims unidentified individual sold items belonging to the late Hayden Panettiere, seeking temporary guardianship of their daughter's inheritance.
Wladimir Klitschko, the ex-fiancé of the late actress Hayden Panettiere, has alleged that a "non-family member" pawned some of Panettiere's jewelry. The claim was made in new legal documents filed as part of an ongoing dispute over the actress's estate and the guardianship of their daughter, Kaya.
Panettiere died at age 36 on August 16 from the "toxic effects" of multiple drugs, including fentanyl, with her death ruled accidental. She is survived solely by Kaya, her 11-year-old daughter with Klitschko. Last month, Klitschko filed a petition in Los Angeles to become the temporary guardian of Kaya's estate, aiming to protect her inheritance as the sole beneficiary of Panettiere's reported $6 million estate.
According to the latest filings, Klitschko stated he is "informed and believes that a non-family member previously connected to Hayden sold certain items belonging to Hayden, believed to include jewelry, to a pawn shop." The pawn shop has reportedly declined to disclose specific item information without law enforcement involvement, raising concerns that remaining items could be sold or transferred and become unrecoverable.
Klitschko's filing requests that his guardianship include the authority to "request and authorize law enforcement investigation into the recovery of Hayden's property believed to have been misappropriated." This legal move follows an earlier urgent petition filed by Klitschko citing concerns that Panettiere's property was at risk.
Legal documents indicate that prior to Panettiere's death, additional security measures were implemented at her home due to an individual who had "gained unauthorized access to Hayden's property." Locks were changed, and storage units containing designer clothing and accessories were relocated as a precaution. Despite these measures, the petition states it is expected that the individual will continue to attempt to misappropriate property from Panettiere's estate.
The documents also assert that Klitschko "has been informed that certain items of personal property belonging to Hayden, including jewelry, have disappeared or remain unaccounted for." Some items are reportedly in the custody of law enforcement as part of an ongoing investigation.
In 2018, Panettiere signed full custody of Kaya to Klitschko amid her struggles with postpartum depression and addiction. Klitschko subsequently moved their daughter to his native Ukraine. The petition notes that Kaya is a U.S. citizen residing abroad with her father, and while she is not a resident of California, the court has jurisdiction over her estate due to her entitlement to assets from Panettiere's probate administration in California.
The purpose of Klitschko's filing is to ensure he can receive, manage, and hold assets on Kaya's behalf from Panettiere's probate estate, as there is currently no personal representative to safeguard these interests. The filing emphasizes the urgency of appointing Klitschko as temporary guardian to allow him the standing to file a probate petition and nominate an administrator to protect the estate's property from loss or dissipation.
Panettiere, known for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," died with a toxicology report confirming the presence of fentanyl, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol, and Quetiapine, with her manner of death ruled an accident. Her on-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother were present at the scene when she was pronounced dead.