Wladimir Klitschko, the former heavyweight boxing champion from Ukraine, has spoken publicly for the first time since the death of Hayden Panettiere, his former partner and the mother of his daughter. In a statement posted on Instagram, Klitschko said he and his family were going through a period of "profound shock and grief" following the actress's sudden passing at the age of 36.
Panettiere, best known for her roles in the television series Heroes and Nashville, died on 16 August in South Carolina, just days before her 37th birthday. Emergency responders found her unresponsive and in cardiac arrest; resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful. The circumstances of her death are still under investigation, with US media reporting a possible overdose.
A shared history and a promise to their daughter
Klitschko and Panettiere began dating in 2009 and became engaged in 2013. Their daughter, Kaya, was born in 2014, and the couple separated in 2018. Despite the split, Klitschko said Panettiere remained "an important part" of his life. In his emotional tribute, he wrote: "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 also reflected on her career and personal struggles, noting that she "built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry." Klitschko added: "Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives."
Addressing their daughter directly, Klitschko promised: "To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was." He concluded by offering condolences to Panettiere's family, friends, and fans, and asked for privacy during this difficult time.
After their separation, Panettiere gave full custody of Kaya to Klitschko as she dealt with addiction and mental health issues. In her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, published earlier this year, she opened up about her struggles, describing a "horrible cycle for years of battling depression and anxiety and alcoholism and substance abuse" while "just trying to find my way back, my way out of the darkness." She also wrote about the death of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who died in February 2023.
Tributes have poured in from across the entertainment industry. Melissa Barrera, who co-starred with Panettiere in Scream VI, wrote "Rest in peace sweet Hayden" on Instagram. Actress Selma Blair posted "I love you. Don't be gone. Please. Please." Beverley Mitchell, who appeared with Panettiere in 7th Heaven, added: "Praying the news is wrong! You are such a bright light and soooo loved."
Klitschko, who now lives in Kyiv and has been active in Ukrainian public life since retiring from boxing, has not commented further. The couple's daughter, Kaya, is currently living with Klitschko in Europe. The news of Panettiere's death has resonated across the continent, where she was a familiar face to many viewers of Heroes and Nashville.
As the investigation into her death continues, Klitschko's tribute stands as a reminder of the personal toll behind the public tragedy. His words, addressed to their daughter, underscore a commitment to preserving Panettiere's memory in a way that honors her life and her role as a mother.
