Wladimir Klitschko is speaking out publicly for the first time since the death of his former fiancée, actress Hayden Panettiere, paying tribute to the mother she was and the legacy she left behind.
The former Ukrainian heavyweight boxing champion shared the emotional message to social media on Tuesday, alongside a photo of himself, Panettiere, and their now 11-year-old daughter, Kaya Evdokia Klitschko.
“Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief,” the Instagram post began. “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.”
Panettiere died at the age of 36, after she was found unresponsive at her temporary Greenville, South Carolina, residence on Aug. 16.
Emergency personnel and officers from the Greenville Police Department were called to the scene on Easley Bridge Road following reports of a female suffering cardiac arrest.
EMS personnel immediately administered life-saving assistance but were unsuccessful. The woman, later identified as Panettiere, was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death is underway. An autopsy performed by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office did not reveal any signs of foul play.
“She built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry,” Klitschko said. “Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives.”
Panettiere and Klitschko began their relationship in 2009, before getting engaged in 2013. They welcomed their daughter in 2014, before ultimately ending their relationship four years later.
“To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was,” he added.
“I extend my deepest condolences to Hayden’s parents, her friends, and her fans, who are also grieving today. Young and talented people like Hayden should not leave this world so soon.”
Born in Palisades, New York, in 1989, Panettiere began working in the entertainment industry at a young age. One of her early prominent film roles came in the 2000 football drama “Remember the Titans,” starring Denzel Washington.
She became widely recognized for her role as Claire Bennet on the hit NBC series “Heroes,” which ran from 2006 to 2010, followed by her success on the ABC musical drama “Nashville” (2012–2018), which later aired on CMT.
Other popular credits include “I Love You, Beth Cooper” (2009), “Bring It On: All or Nothing” (2006), “Scream 4” (2011), and “Scream VI” (2023).
“I ask everyone to please respect our family’s feelings and privacy during this incredibly difficult time,” Klitschko concluded. “For now, this is all I wish to say. … Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace.”
