Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Santoro on Thursday granted former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko temporary guardianship of the estate belonging to his daughter, Kaya, following the accidental overdose death of actress Hayden Panettiere.
Urgent petition to protect assets
Klitschko filed an urgent petition last week, asserting that federal law‑enforcement agents investigating Panettiere’s death and an unnamed nonrelative were attempting to take or sell items from the estate, including jewelry that had been pawned. The petition argued that without court authority, these assets could be lost, damaged, or dissipated before a permanent administrator could be appointed.
In a brief videoconference, Klitschko and his daughter appeared remotely. Kaya, 11, was visible on camera sitting at a table in front of curtains, while Klitschko introduced himself. Judge Santoro, satisfied with the explanation provided by Klitschko’s attorney Diane Park, granted the temporary guardian status, allowing Klitschko to act on behalf of the estate until a long‑term administrator is selected.
Legal authority and next steps
The court order gives Klitschko authority to deal with the pawnshop owner, respond to any law‑enforcement inquiries, and ensure that Panettiere’s taxes are filed this month. The filing noted that Panettiere and Klitschko had hired security for her home before her death after an unnamed person gained unauthorized access, and the court expects the same individual may attempt further “misappropriation.”
Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, submitted a document consenting to Klitschko’s appointment, reinforcing the family’s support for the temporary guardianship.
Background on the case
Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles on “Heroes” and “Nashville,” was found unresponsive in an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16, 2026. A coroner’s report confirmed her death resulted from an accidental overdose involving several drugs, including fentanyl. She had been in rehab weeks before her death and was living with her on‑and‑off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach at the time.
Klitschko, 50, an Olympic gold‑medalist and former world‑champion boxer, has had full custody of Kaya for most of her life, with the child residing primarily in Ukraine. The father and daughter have previously appeared together in Los Angeles County court via videoconference.
Family and public response
In her memoir released earlier this year, Panettiere disclosed struggles with alcohol addiction and postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter in 2014. Kaya moved to live full‑time with Klitschko when she was two years old. Panettiere’s father told investigators she had planned to visit her daughter in Ukraine days before her death.
Klitschko’s older brother, Vitali Klitschko, former champion and current mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine, has been a prominent public figure during the ongoing conflict with Russia. The family’s request for court protection underscores concerns about safeguarding the child’s future inheritance amid a complex legal and investigative environment.
The court will later appoint a permanent administrator to manage the estate long‑term, ensuring that Kaya’s inheritance is preserved and that any outstanding legal matters are resolved.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
