Hayden Panettiere’s ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, has addressed the actress’ tragic death after obtaining custody of their daughter.
“Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief. 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,” the boxing legend wrote on Facebook.
“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.
“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 shared a throwback snap of himself, Panettiere, and their daughter.
Panettiere died on Aug. 16. She was 36.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” her father, Skip Panettiere, wrote in a statement to Page Six.
“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 on-screen. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”
Page Six confirmed that officers responded to a call regarding a reported cardiac arrest after an apparent “overdose” at a Greenville County, South Carolina, apartment around 1:51 p.m. local time on April 16.
According to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, they attempted to resuscitate the actress but were “unsuccessful.” She was declared dead at 2:32 PM.
The coroner reported no signs of foul play or trauma “that would have contributed to the death.” A cause of death has yet to be released.
Hayden was staying at an Airbnb at the Judson Mill Lofts apartment complex when the heartbreaking incident occurred.
She had flown to South Carolina from Los Angeles with her on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson the day before.
The “Bring It On” star is survived by her now 11-year-old daughter, whom she had given up custody of in 2018 amid her struggles with postpartum depression and addiction. At the time, Kaya was 2 years old when she went to live with Klitschko full-time in Ukraine.
Hayden and the boxer started dating in 2009 and got engaged in 2013. They welcomed Kaya the following December before officially parting ways in 2018.
The Disney alum got candid about the emotional turmoil she faced for being “completely incapable” of caring for Kaya while discussing her new memoir “This Is Me: A Reckoning” in West Hollywood, California, in May.
“The worst thing that somebody said to me is that it was a personal choice that I was making,” she said. “Who would choose to feel like this? Like, how could you even say that to me? This beautiful child is healthy and everything to celebrate … And I’m completely incapable of doing it. I felt so guilt ridden that I was incapable of doing it.”
However, the “Heroes” star developed a good relationship with Kaya, and a solid co-parenting relationship with Klitschko over the years.
Also in May, Hayden gushed over her frequent visits to Ukraine to see Kaya.
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