Sad reason Hayden Panettiere’s ex Wladimir Klitschko files for temporary guardianship of daughter Kaya
Warning: This article contains discussion of drug addiction which some readers may find distressing.
Wladimir Klitschko has filed for temporary guardianship of Hayden Panettiere’s estate on behalf of their 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, weeks after the actress’ sudden death.
The former professional boxer submitted the petition last week (24 September), seeking to protect the estate while the investigation into Panettiere’s death continues.
Panettiere died aged 36 last month (16 August) after she was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina.
Advert
Emergency services were called after she was reported to be in cardiac arrest, with first responders attempting to revive her before she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her cause of death was later confirmed by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office as the 'toxic effects' of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine, with her manner of death being ruled an accident.
An autopsy found no trauma that contributed to her death.
Panettiere, best known for starring in Heroes, Nashville and the hit Scream franchise, shared her only child, Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, with Wladimir, 50.
The pair began dating in 2009 and became engaged in 2013, and Kaya was born the following year in 2014.
The couple eventually split in 2018, with Klitschko later taking full custody while Panettiere sought treatment and worked through struggles with addiction and postpartum depression.
According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Klitschko is seeking temporary guardianship because Kaya is the sole heir to Panettiere’s estate.
In his 24 September filing, Klitschko argues the decision needs to be made 'immediately', saying it would give him 'the necessary standing to file Hayden’s Probate Petition and the power to nominate a proposed Administrator of Hayden’s Estate'.
He also raises concerns that, without an administrator in place, 'there is a high probability that property belonging to Hayden’s Estate may be lost, damaged or dissipated before a duly appointed personal representative can be in place to protect it'.
The filing alleges that Panettiere had previously hired security for her Los Angeles home after concerns that someone had gained unauthorised access to the property.
Klitschko claims locks were changed and valuables, including designer clothing, were moved.
He also alleges that some of Panettiere’s personal belongings, including jewellery, have 'disappeared or remains unaccounted for'.
He says the authorities currently have custody of some items as part of the investigation and wants an estate representative to 'marshal the missing assets and interface with law enforcement'.
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24/7, or livechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week
Rhiannon Ingle