Wladimir Klitschko, the former heavyweight champion and ex-partner of Hayden Panettiere, has broken his silence following the actress's death on August 16 at age 36, promising that their 11-year-old daughter Kaya will always remember her mother with respect. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Klitschko expressed his family's "profound shock and grief," describing Panettiere as "an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya" . He vowed, "A nuestra hija Kaya siempre le hablaré de su madre con respeto y me aseguraré de que recuerde la persona que fue" .
Klitschko and Panettiere met in 2008 and became engaged in 2013, welcoming Kaya in December 2014. They separated in 2018 without marrying . Following the split, Panettiere gave full custody to Klitschko while battling addiction and postpartum depression, a decision she later described as "lo más desgarrador que he tenido que hacer en mi vida" .
Panettiere was found unconscious in Greenville, South Carolina, and pronounced dead at 14:32 after resuscitation attempts failed . Authorities have reported no signs of trauma or violence, but the official cause remains under investigation. Some outlets, citing emergency audio, suggest a possible overdose-related cardiac arrest, though this is not confirmed .
Tributes have poured in from colleagues, including Melissa Barrera and Selma Blair . Panettiere, known for roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," published her memoir "This Is Me: A Reckoning" in May, detailing her struggles. Klitschko concluded his message: "Descansa en paz, Hayden. Que encuentres la paz eterna" .