Hayden Panettiere's engagement ring from former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, worth an estimated $500,000 (£378,500), is reportedly missing following the actress's death in August. The 36-year-old Heroes star had kept the ring after ending her engagement to the Ukrainian politician, 50, in 2018.
According to reports, Hayden's family have been searching for the jewellery since her death and now believe it has been taken. A source told US magazine: "Hayden's engagement ring from Wlad that she's held onto for all this time is missing."
Ring 'pawned' by someone close
The source suggested the emerald-cut diamond ring may have been pawned by someone who knew the actress, adding: "Friends and family think that someone who was with her in her final days took it when they were pawning her things."
The Montblanc ring was designed by Hayden, who shared an 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, with Klitschko. Recalling the design process, she told E! News in 2013: "They made me this amazing book where they did a bunch of sketches. I told them my idea over time and tweaking things here and there, it came to fruition."
Death and legal proceedings
Hayden, famed for her role as cheerleader Claire Bennett in NBC's Heroes, died in August aged 36 from the toxic effects of multiple drugs, including fentanyl. She was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, where she was staying with her on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach.
A spokesperson for the Greenville County Coroner's Office confirmed her death was accidental, ruling the cause as an overdose involving fentanyl and anti-anxiety medication Alprazolam.
Following her death, Klitschko paid tribute, writing: "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."
Guardianship petition
On September 24, the former boxer filed an urgent petition in Los Angeles to be appointed temporary guardian of Kaya's estate. After Hayden's death, Kaya inherited a reported $6 million estate, and Klitschko is ensuring all of Hayden's possessions are returned following the investigation.
According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Klitschko argues the decision needs to be made immediately because there is a risk that property belonging to the estate could be "lost, damaged or dissipated" before a personal representative is appointed. The filing claims Hayden had hired security for her Los Angeles home before her death due to concerns about unauthorised access, with locks changed and some valuables, including designer clothing, moved. It further alleges that personal belongings, including jewellery, have disappeared or remain unaccounted for.
