Hayden Panettiere’s ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko shares heartbreaking statement following her death aged 36
Wladimir Klitschko has posted an emotional tribute following the death of his ex-fiancée, Hayden Panettiere.
The Bring It On actress died in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday (16 August), aged just 36.
Her father, Skip, confirmed in a statement to ABC News: "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her - and to the millions who watched her onscreen."
While Panettiere's cause of death is yet to be confirmed, 911 dispatch audio heard investigators called to the scene describe the situation as an 'overdose' and 'cardiac arrest'.
Advert
"I don’t have any more information at this time, but it’s looking as though that is the case," her representative subsequently told PEOPLE.
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday (18 August), her former partner, Ukrainian boxer Klitschko, shared a photo of the late actress alongside Panettiere and their 11-year-old daughter, Kaya.
"Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief," he wrote. "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.
"She built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry. Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives."
The sportsman continued: "To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was.
"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.
"I ask everyone to please respect our family’s feelings and privacy during this incredibly difficult time. For now, this is all I wish to say."
Klitschko concluded: "Thank you to everyone who is supporting my family and expressing their sincere condolences.
"Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace. #WeLoveYouHayden."
The former couple are understood to have met in 2008 at a party hosted by a mutual friend.
Though it would take them another year to begin dating, Panettiere later revealed to TV host Ellen DeGeneres she made the first move, supposedly approaching Klitschko to tell him, 'You're huge', to which he responded, 'You're tiny'.
They embarked on an initial two-year relationship which ended in May 2011.
"Even though we’ve decided splitting up is best for both of us, we have an amazing amount of love and respect for each other and remain very close friends," the actress later told the press.
Klitschko added at the time: "We had a great time together, but it’s not that easy to manage a relationship between two continents. I have a lot of respect for Hayden as a person and as a friend, and I believe we’ll keep our friendship even after the separation."
Two years later, however, they were back together, and by 2013, they were engaged.
The following May, Panettiere confirmed she was pregnant with their first child, and seven months later, Kaya was born.
"We are over the moon and madly in love!" the couple shared in a statement.
Sadly, however, in the years that followed, Panettiere suffered severe postpartum depression, after which she and Klitschko split for good.
Eventually, she gave up custody of Kaya after struggling with 'years of battling depression and anxiety and alcoholism and substance abuse', she told Jay Shetty back in May of this year.
Confirming Kaya has lived with her father in Ukraine ever since, she emphasised: "The idea that anybody would think that I would just give away my child and be OK with it is heartbreaking.
During the same episode, the TV star reflected upon the 'misconception' that she was 'forced into treatment' for substance abuse in the years prior, claiming she'd been 'the one who sought it out'.
She entered rehab in 2015, after which she began 'trying to find my way back, my way out of the darkness'.
"By the time I finally got healthy, I felt like it would have been unfair of me to and selfish of me to try to pull her out away from this life that that she had," Panettiere told Shetty.
Later in the episode, she spoke optimistically about the years ahead, claiming she'd 'shaken off all of this darkness and this negativity'.
"I’ve closed one door and another door is opened," she concluded. "I can feel all the exciting possibilities. I feel like I have a lot more life to live."
Stars share tributes to Hayden Panettiere
Viola Davis
Davis, who starred alongside Panettiere in the likes of The Architect (2006) and Custody (2016), penned: “What an amazing talent you were....so gifted. Julius and I loved working with you....an old, wise soul with such a deep heart. I wish the world had more time with you because I had a burning curiosity about who you were becoming.
“I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes. Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy. You will be remembered. Rest well, Hayden.
“Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you. May they always speak your name....”
Bethany Joy Lenz
In an emotional tribute, Panettiere’s Guiding Light co-star Joy Lenz wrote: “There is nothing that posting pictures on the internet can do. I avoid it usually in moments like this. But Im here with my head in my hands and I don’t know what else to do in aside from praying for her soul, which I have done and will continue.”
Admitting she's 'crushed', the actress continued: “I knew the wild little blonde. Was she nine? Ten? I was eighteen. She ran through the Screen Gem studio hallways at 222 E44th St. laughing and playing games in between Guiding Light blocking and camera rehearsals. Long, unruly curls trailing behind her. She knew her lines and everyone else’s. Her intelligence was astonishing. She understood scenes and nuance and human struggle like no child I’d ever seen on camera. And she’d sit with you for a great conversation, then giggle and go play.
“We’d connect on and off over the years, like the cousin in the family reunion who got famous and life moved her away—but I always felt such joy seeing her when we were lucky enough to cross paths. We’d make a pact to talk soon. Lunch. Dinner. Somewhere we could curl up into a corner—but we never quite made it happen. I mostly stayed up to date through mutual friends.
“I dont understand how this is real. Everything seemed to be turning around. She was coming BACK to life, wasn’t she? It’s too young and there’s still so much more life. And her daughter…. Hayden, you are surround by love. I’m sorry for every moment I didn’t reach out or check in. This can’t be real.”
Joy Lenz concluded: “These are moments of how I knew you, in glimpses over 26 years. I don’t know how to process this. I am praying for you to know the peace of God now and always.”
Selma Blair
Commenting underneath Panettiere’s final Instagram post, Blair said: “I love you. Don't be gone. Please.”
Emma Roberts
Paying tribute to her Scream 4 (2011) co-star, Roberts penned: “Rest in peace my sweet friend. you are so loved and you will be forever missed.”
Kim Cattrall
“Rest in peace sweet Hayden,” Cattrall, who starred as Panettiere’s onscreen mum in Ice Princess (2005), shared. “Gone far too soon.”
Masi Oka
In a heartfelt message to his Heroes co-star, Oka wrote on X: “Absolutely heartbroken to hear about Hayden. I had the privilege of working closely with her, and I’ll always remember her for her beautiful spirit, immense talent, and the joyful energy she brought to everything she did and the people around her. She was way wiser beyond her years and now gone too soon…
“My heart goes out to her family and everyone who loved her. Rest in peace, Hayden.”
Jenna Ortega
Taking to her Instagram Story, Ortega - who worked with Panettiere on Scream VI (2023) - said: “This is such a devastating loss. Rest well.”
Melissa Barrera
Fellow Scream VI star Barrera also paid tribute, saying: “Rest in peace sweet Hayden,” along with a broken heart emoji.
Jay Shetty
Shetty, who welcomed Panettiere on his On Purpose podcast just months ago, commented: “I can’t believe it. Our friendship had just begun and I was so moved by the conversation we shared earlier this year.
"My love and condolences to her family and fans.”
Topics: Celebrity, US News, World News, News
Rhianna Benson