Former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko used his Instagram account to mourn the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, with whom he shares a daughter, Kaya. Klitschko, 50, described the loss as “a time of profound shock and grief” and affirmed his intention to keep Panettiere’s memory alive for their child.

Family commitment amid tragedy

Klitschko wrote that, although Panettiere was no longer his partner, nothing could erase the time they spent together or the role she played in their family. He promised to speak of Panettiere with respect to their daughter, honoring a promise the two made in July to never speak ill of each other to Kaya.

Details of the investigation

Panettiere died on Sunday in South Carolina. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office and Greenville City Police Department are conducting an active investigation. A preliminary autopsy found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death, and the cause and manner of death remain pending. First responders found her in cardiac arrest; despite resuscitation attempts, she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.

Parental decisions and custody

In 2018, Panettiere transferred custody of Kaya to Klitschko, citing concerns about her own well‑being at the time. In a prior interview, Panettiere explained that she wanted to protect her daughter from a public custody battle, noting that Kaya had a strong support system in Europe with Klitschko. She expressed that she would travel frequently to remain involved in Kaya’s life, believing the child would eventually return to her.

Panettiere’s career and personal struggles

Panettiere began acting as an infant, later voicing Princess Dot in Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life” and appearing in “Remember the Titans.” She gained fame as Claire Bennet on NBC’s “Heroes” and as country‑music star Juliette Barnes on “Nashville.” In her memoir, “This Is Me,” released in May, she discussed her battle with postpartum depression, alcohol addiction, and the pressures of growing up in the spotlight.

Klitschko’s tribute

Klitschko also praised Panettiere’s professional achievements, noting she built an “incredible career through immense talent” while confronting the “darker sides of a very demanding industry.” He extended condolences to Panettiere’s family, friends, and fans, and asked for privacy during the ongoing investigation.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.