Wladimir Klitschko has broken his silence, expressing heartfelt emotions over the untimely passing of his former fiancée, Hayden Panettiere.
Taking to Instagram, the 50-year-old former world heavyweight boxing champion shared a poignant message on Tuesday, August 18, accompanied by a nostalgic photograph featuring himself, Panettiere, and their daughter, Kaya. “Our family is engulfed in a whirlwind of shock and deep sorrow,” Klitschko conveyed. “The devastating news of Hayden’s death profoundly saddens me. She departed from this world far too early. Despite not being life partners anymore, Hayden remained a vital figure in my life and the beloved mother of our daughter, Kaya.”
Klitschko reminisced about Panettiere’s remarkable journey, highlighting the challenges she overcame in her pursuit of an extraordinary career in a demanding industry. “Her immense talent crafted a stellar path, though she also faced darker facets along the way. Our shared memories and the significant role she played in our lives are indelible,” he continued.
Addressing his daughter Kaya, Klitschko promised to uphold Panettiere’s memory with honor. “I will always speak of your mother with respect, ensuring that you remember the person she was,” he vowed.
Though Hayden Panettiere and Wladimir Klitschko eventually found peace as co-parents, their journey was filled with both highs and lows. The couple first crossed paths in 2009, embarking on an on-and-off relationship until 2011. They rekindled their romance and were seen affectionately together in 2013, showcasing the enduring bond they shared despite their complex history.
Klitschko wrote, “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,” he went on. “Thank you to everyone who is supporting my family and expressing their sincere condolences.”
“Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace,” the star’s ex-fiancé concluded his tribute.
Panettiere and Klitschko started dating after her 2009 split from Heroes costar Milo Ventimiglia. The couple met while attending a book launch party. They dated on and off before getting engaged in 2013. The following year, they welcomed daughter Kaya. The pair called off their engagement and split in 2018.
After their breakup, the exes maintained a close friendship as they coparented Kaya. Panettiere relinquished full custody of Kaya to Klitschko amid her struggles with postpartum depression and remained in Los Angeles while Klitschko resided with their daughter in his native Ukraine.
“Wlad is an incredible father, and I know he was doing what he felt was best for our daughter. Living on separate continents made our arrangement even more challenging,” Panettiere exclusively told Us in May 2026. “Despite how I felt, it was important to always put her first.”
Panettiere started dating Brian Hickerson in 2018 after her split from Klitschko. The pair faced ups and downs, with Hickerson getting arrested for domestic violence in 2018 after an alleged argument between him and the actress. (Hickerson was charged with felony domestic violence, which resulted in a prosecutor-requested protective order. The charges were dropped the following year.)
Hayden Panettiere’s death came as a shock to many of her fans — but her friends were “worried” about the actress after she reconnected with her abusive ex Brian Hickerson. “Hayden seemed to be doing well [recently], but there was still concern among her friends and inner circle,” a source who recently spoke with Panettiere exclusively […]
Hickerson was arrested again in 2020 after allegedly punching Panettiere in the face. He pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend, and his remaining six counts of domestic violence and assault were dismissed. Hickerson served 33 days in prison and was also placed on four years of probation and required to pay a $500 fine.
“Getting an abusive person out of your life is like trying to rip a weed out that is so entangled into your life,” Panettiere told Us about the challenging time in the May interview. “Every time you pull it out, another weed pops back up and you’re like, ‘I thought I killed this.’ They always manage to find a way to slither back into your life, even if you’re an incredibly strong-willed person.”
Three months after her sit-down with Us, news broke of Panettiere’s death on Sunday, August 16.
Hayden Panettiere faced professional and personal challenges before her death. The actress started modeling at 5 months old and appeared in her first commercial when she was 11 months old. Her big break came in 1994 when she began playing Sarah Roberts on One Life to Live at age 5. She continued to impress onscreen with roles […]
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen,” read a statement from her father, Skip Panettiere. “We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”
South Carolina police confirmed an investigation is underway, noting, “The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.