Former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko has issued a statement following the death of his former fiancée Hayden Panettiere, saying he is "deeply saddened" and promising their daughter Kaya will "remember the person she was."
Death Confirmed by Father
The American actress, known for roles in Heroes and Nashville, died on Sunday at age 36. Her father, Skip, confirmed the news, calling it an "unimaginable loss" and describing her as an "incredible light and a force of nature."
Panettiere and Klitschko met at a book launch in 2009, began dating shortly after, split in 2011, and rekindled their relationship two years later. They got engaged in October 2013, and their daughter Kaya was born the following year. The couple separated again in 2018.
Klitschko's Tribute
That same year, Panettiere, who struggled with post-partum depression and addiction, relinquished full custody of Kaya to Klitschko, who lives in Ukraine, to "put her daughter first."
In an Instagram post, Klitschko wrote: "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." He added: "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."
Klitschko 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." He asked for privacy, saying: "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." He ended: "Thank you to everyone who is supporting my family and expressing their sincere condolences. Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace."
Final Interview
The statement follows Panettiere's final interview with parenting outlet Momé, published last month, where she opened up about the "heartbreaking" custody decision. She said: "It wasn't a decision I made lightly, nor was it a decision I even wanted to make. I was going through a really challenging time in my life. I knew I needed to be able to put her first so that I could get the help I needed and be the mum she needed me to be." She added: "I love my daughter, and I'm so proud of the young woman she is becoming. I talk to her all the time, and I feel so connected to her. She's like a mini-me."
