Wladimir Klitschko Seeks Guardianship of Daughter's Estate Amid Concerns Over Actress's Assets

Wladimir Klitschko, former fiance of the late actress Hayden Panettiere, has filed an urgent petition in Los Angeles seeking temporary guardianship of their daughter Kaya's estate. The move comes amid concerns that Panettiere's property may be at risk following her death on August 16.

Panettiere, 36, died at her home in Greenville, South Carolina, from the "toxic effects" of multiple drugs, including fentanyl, in an accidental death, according to the Greenville County Coroner's Office. She is survived solely by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she had with Klitschko during their nine-year relationship.

In 2018, Panettiere granted full custody of Kaya to Klitschko as she battled postpartum depression and addiction. Klitschko subsequently moved their daughter to his native Ukraine. The petition aims to protect Kaya's inheritance as the sole beneficiary of Panettiere's estimated $6 million estate and to ensure that the actress's possessions are returned to her daughter after the ongoing investigation into her death.

The legal filing states that Kaya is a U.S. citizen residing abroad with her father and that Panettiere, a U.S. citizen and California resident, died intestate. The court's jurisdiction is asserted because Kaya, as the heir, is entitled to assets subject to probate administration in California. The purpose of the filing is to allow Klitschko to receive, manage, and hold assets on Kaya's behalf from Panettiere's estate.

Klitschko noted in the filing that there is currently no personal representative to safeguard the interests of Panettiere's estate. The petition also details security measures implemented at Panettiere's home prior to her death due to an unknown individual who had gained unauthorized access to the property. Storage units containing designer clothing and accessories were relocated as a precaution. The petition further states that it is expected the individual will continue to attempt to misappropriate property belonging to the estate, and that certain items, including jewelry, have disappeared or remain unaccounted for. Some items are reportedly in the custody of law enforcement in connection with the investigation.

The filing alleges that federal agents accessed Panettiere's home as part of an ongoing investigation and removed property. Klitschko stressed the urgency of his appointment as temporary guardian, arguing it is essential to have the standing to file a probate petition and nominate a proposed administrator for Panettiere's estate. Without immediate appointment, the petition warns of a high probability that estate property could be lost, damaged, or dissipated before a representative can be put in place.

Klitschko and Panettiere first met in 2009, became engaged in 2013, and welcomed Kaya in December of that year. They split in 2018 but remained on amicable terms. Panettiere, who began her acting career as a child, gained wider recognition for her roles in "Remember the Titans," "Heroes," and "Nashville." She received two Golden Globe nominations for her performance on "Nashville."