Wladimir Klitschko mourns death of ex-fiancée Hayden Panettiere

Wladimir Klitschko mourns death of ex-fiancée Hayden Panettiere

Wladimir Klitschko, the former heavyweight boxing world champion, has expressed "profound shock and grief" following the death of his former partner, actress Hayden Panettiere. The 50-year-old Klitschko shared a statement on Instagram on August 18, accompanying a photograph of himself and Panettiere with their 11-year-old daughter, Kaya Evdokia Klitschko.

Panettiere, 36, died on Sunday, August 16, in Greenville, South Carolina. Klitschko described the late actress as an "important part" of his life and the mother of his child, noting that she built a successful career through "immense talent" while navigating the "darker sides" of a demanding industry.

The former boxer vowed to ensure their daughter remembers her mother with respect, stating, To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was. He requested privacy for his family during this time and indicated he would not speak publicly further regarding the death for now.

Details of the emergency response

The Greenville Police Department reported that officers and EMS personnel responded to a call from an acquaintance regarding an "unresponsive female" at the Judson Mill Lofts at approximately 1:51 p.m. Local time on August 16. A neighbor, Micah Lee, told WYFF that noise echoed through the hollow hallways

Dispatch audio obtained by PEOPLE included discussions of a "cardiac arrest" and an "overdose." According to reports from TMZ, Narcan—used to reverse opioid overdoses—was found on a mattress in the apartment. Emergency services also reportedly brought Epinephrine to the scene, a drug used in resuscitation protocols to restore heart function. Paramedics attempted to revive Panettiere using "advanced cardiac life support," including breathing tubes and chest compressions, but she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.

The Greenville County coroner conducted an autopsy on Monday, August 18, which revealed "no signs of trauma" that contributed to the death. While police stated there were no signs of "foul play or suspicious circumstances," the official cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation.

A history of struggle and resilience

Panettiere and Klitschko met in 2008 and dated on and off for nine years, becoming engaged and welcoming Kaya in December 2014. The pair split permanently in 2018, at which time Panettiere signed over full custody of Kaya to Klitschko. Panettiere had previously described the decision as the "most heartbreaking thing" of her life, explaining in July that she needed to put her daughter first so she could obtain help for alcoholism and substance abuse.

In her May 2026 memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, Panettiere detailed the pain of living apart from her daughter. She expressed a desire for Kaya to understand that her struggles were not the child's fault.

The actress's later years were marked by personal tragedy and health issues. In 2023, her brother Jansen died at age 28 from undiagnosed aortic valve complications and an enlarged heart. Sources told the Daily Mail that Panettiere remained "tortured" by this loss. Additionally, Panettiere had suffered long-term nerve issues and back pain resulting from a 2005 accident on the set of Racing Stripes, where she was thrown from a zebra and temporarily paralyzed.

Industry tributes

Tributes have emerged from numerous former co-stars and friends. Connie Britton, who worked with Panettiere on Nashville, described her as bursting with brilliance.

Kelly Osbourne noted that she and Panettiere bonded over the isolation of growing up in the spotlight.

Panettiere's father, Skip, released a statement calling his daughter an incredible light and a force of nature.

Investigation into the cause of death continues as the coroner's office completes additional studies.