Hayden Panettiere and Daughter Kaya: A Look at Their Relationship

Hayden Panettiere’s former fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, has broken his silence following the actress’s death at age 36, vowing to always speak of her with respect to their 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, according to coverage by the Daily Mail. The actress passed away on Sunday, just one week before her birthday, after going into cardiac arrest following a suspected overdose.

Klitschko released a public statement alongside a family photograph from happier times, expressing profound shock and grief. According to the Daily Mail, the boxer stated that Panettiere was an important part of his life and the mother of their child, noting that she faced the darker sides of a demanding industry while building an incredible career.

Custody History and Final Interview Context

In 2018, when their daughter Kaya was three years old, Panettiere signed full custody over to Klitschko as she battled postpartum depression and substance abuse, leading Wladimir to move their daughter to his native Ukraine. According to Daily Mail reporting, Panettiere addressed the difficult decision in her final interview in May, explaining that it was not a choice she made lightly or wanted to make, but one driven by a challenging period in her life.

Klitschko addressed their daughter directly in his public comments, promising to ensure Kaya remembers her mother for the person she was. According to the Daily Mail, he asked for privacy for the family and extended his condolences to Panettiere’s parents, friends, and fans.

Investigation and Autopsy Findings

A post-mortem examination showed there were no signs of trauma, though the official cause of death remains unconfirmed pending final results, according to the Daily Mail. A police report released on Tuesday indicated that Panettiere’s ex, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach, were inside the South Carolina apartment when she died.

Authorities also recovered Narcan, a nasal spray containing naloxone used to reverse opioid overdoses, on a mattress inside the property, as reported by the Daily Mail. While 911 audio revealed the actress went into cardiac arrest following a suspected overdose, it remains unclear whether the spray was administered prior to emergency responders arriving at the scene.