Klitschko's First Public Statement
Former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko broke his silence on Tuesday, August 18, two days after the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, his ex-fiancée and the mother of their daughter Kaya. Writing on Instagram alongside a throwback family photo, Klitschko, 50, said, "Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief." He added, "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."
Tribute to Panettiere's Career and Struggles
In the same post, Klitschko acknowledged the darker side of the entertainment industry. "She built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry," he wrote. "Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives." The post included a smiling photo from happier times, with Kaya's face obscured.
A Promise to Their Daughter
Klitschko used the statement to address Kaya directly. "To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was," he wrote. He also extended his condolences to Panettiere's parents, friends, and fans, writing, "Young and talented people like Hayden should not leave this world so soon." He closed the message with, "Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace," and asked the public to respect the family's privacy.
Timeline and Relationship History
Panettiere died on Sunday, August 16, at the age of 36. She and Klitschko began dating in 2009, split briefly in 2011, and rekindled their relationship. They became engaged in October 2013, and Kaya was born in December 2014. The couple split again in 2018, when Panettiere, who had been open about struggles with postpartum depression and addiction, signed over full custody of Kaya to Klitschko, who relocated their daughter to Ukraine.
Investigation Into the Cause of Death
According to the Greenville County Coroner's Office, Panettiere was found unresponsive on August 16 after emergency personnel responded to a 911 call reporting a cardiac arrest at a home in Greenville, South Carolina, where she had been temporarily staying. The coroner's office confirmed that resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and that an autopsy "showed no signs of trauma." The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation. While one unnamed source told The New York Times the cardiac arrest was caused by an apparent drug overdose, Billboard noted it could not independently verify that report. No cause of death has been officially confirmed.
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