Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Hayden Panettiere’s ex-partner Wladimir Klitschko has paid tribute to the actress, promising to always speak of her with respect and ensure her memory lives on inside their daughter Kaya.
The 36-year-old Heroes and Nashville star was found unresponsive inside an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday after an acquaintance called emergency services about 1.50pm.
Police said there were no signs of trauma or foul play, and her cause of death remains under investigation.
Klitschko, who dated Panettiere on-and-off for nine years, took to Instagram on Tuesday, sharing with his one million followers that the announcement of her tragic death “deeply saddened” him.
The Ukrainian boxing champion said that although they were no longer together at the time of her death he will always love her.
“Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief,” he wrote.
“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.
“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.
“Thank you to everyone who is supporting my family and expressing their sincere condolences.
“Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace.”
Panettiere met the former world champion boxer in 2008, and the pair got engaged five years later. In 2014, their daughter Kaya was born.
Panettiere suffered postpartum depression after Kaya’s birth, and she turned to alcohol and opioid abuse, which severely impacted her mental health.
As their relationship ended in 2018, Klitschko sought full custody, and Panettiere chose not to fight him, knowing she was not in the right state to be a parent.
She voluntarily signed over primary custody so Kaya could have stability and safety in Europe but remained in contact with her over the years.
On May 11, Panettiere sat down with Jay Shetty for an emotional interview on his On Purpose podcast.
“The idea that anybody would think that I would just give away my child and be OK with it is heartbreaking,” she said.
“Couldn’t be further from the truth.”
