Ukrainian former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko shared a somber tribute on Instagram Tuesday after the death of his former fiancé, actress Hayden Panettiere, who was 36. In his post, Klitschko wrote that the family is “going through a time of profound shock and grief” and expressed deep sadness at the loss.
Tribute and memories
Klitschko said, “The announcement of Hayden’s tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon. Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya.” He attached a photo of their daughter Kaya sitting on Panettiere’s shoulders, recalling the actress’ “incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry.”
He added, “Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives. To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was.” Klitschko concluded his message with condolences to Panettiere’s parents, friends and fans, and a prayer for her peace.
Details of the death
Panettiere died on Sunday, according to a statement from her father. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office reported that an autopsy was completed Monday and that no signs of trauma were found that would have contributed to the death. Police said the preliminary investigation has not indicated any foul play or suspicious circumstances, and an acquaintance placed the 911 call.
Background on Panettiere and her family
Best known for her roles on the television series “Heroes” and “Nashville,” Panettiere released a memoir earlier this year titled “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” which detailed personal struggles, including postpartum depression and addiction. In the memoir she explained that she gave up custody of her daughter, Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, in 2018 after a period of rehab and ongoing mental‑health challenges.
Despite the custody arrangement, Panettiere said she maintained a strong bond with Kaya, speaking regularly via FaceTime and visiting her in Ukraine. In a May interview on the “Jay Shetty Podcast,” she described the pain of being apart from her child, saying, “I will always want her here. I always miss her. I always want to have my arms wrapped around her, but that’s just not the way life is right at this moment.”
Support resources
The article includes a reminder that anyone struggling with emotional distress can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or by visiting 988lifeline.org. Additional resources are available at SpeakingOfSuicide.com.
Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.
