Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of his ex-fiancée, Hayden Panettiere. The 50-year-old boxer shared a statement on Instagram following the actress’s death at age 36. Panettiere and Klitschko had an 11-year-old daughter named Kaya together.
Klitschko posted a photo of himself with Panettiere and their daughter from happier times, according to People. He wrote that the family was in a state of profound shock and grief after learning of her death, according to a report from Yardbarker. The former couple had been together on and off for nine years before splitting in 2018.
They had planned to marry but called off their wedding after a five-year engagement. In the same year they split, Panettiere gave custody of Kaya to Klitschko. She later described the decision as heart-breaking and difficult.
Panettiere had openly discussed her struggles with substance abuse during this time. She also spoke about the emotional toll of signing over full custody to Klitschko. In a recent podcast appearance, she reflected on how painful it was to be separated from her daughter.
She said the experience left her with intense and layered emotions. Panettiere’s memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, was released in May and touched on her personal journey. She expressed concern about how Kaya might interpret parts of her life story when she reads the book.
Klitschko emphasized that Panettiere was still an important part of his life despite no longer being his partner. He said she built a career through talent and faced challenges in the entertainment industry. He promised to always speak respectfully about her with their daughter and ensure Kaya remembers her.
Klitschko extended his condolences to Panettiere’s parents, friends, and fans who are also grieving. He asked people to respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time. Klitschko shared that he will not speak publicly further about Panettiere’s death for now.
He ended his message with a wish for peace and rest for Panettiere. According to reports, the incident occurred in Greenville, South Carolina. Emergency services were called on August 16, with dispatch audio obtained by PEOPLE mentioning overdose and cardiac arrest.
Preliminary autopsy results showed no signs of trauma contributing to her death, the Daily Express reported. The official cause and manner of death are still under investigation. The case remains active as further studies are completed.
No additional information has been released at this time.
IMAGE: GFDL
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