Wladimir Klitschko releases emotional statement after death of Hayden Panettiere aged 36

Former heavyweight boxing world champion Wladimir Klitschko has paid tribute to former partner Hayden Panettiere.

The 36-year-old actress’ shock death was announced on Monday by her family.

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No cause of death was given, with police saying that they were ‘no signs of foul play’ after they responded to a 911 call on Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina.

Panettiere and Klitschko met in 2009 and started dating. They became engaged in October 2013 and had a daughter, Kaya, together in December 2014.

She was seen ringside for many of his fights, including his loss to Tyson Fury, when the Ukrainian held multiple world titles between 2000 and 2015.

Although they split years later, they both co-parented Kaya together.

What has Klitschko said?

In a statement on X, the 50-year-old said: “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. 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.

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“Thank you to everyone who is supporting my family and expressing their sincere condolences.

“Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace.”

Panettiere family statement

The actress, who has been on screen since the age of four, played roles in the popular TV shows Heroes and Nashville.

As a child star, she had other memorable roles including in the films Remember the Titans and Raising Helen.

Her father, Skip, said: “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.”

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Panettiere’s father also asked for privacy ‘as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss’.

In addition to Klitschko and family members, others who worked with her also paid tribute to Panettiere.

Nashville co-star Connie Britton wrote in a post on social media: “I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak. I love you girl. Sleep easy now.”

When Kaya, her daughter was young, Klitschko asked her to sign over custody, telling Panettiere he was worried for her when with her.

She eventually agreed to the request, but remained involved in her life.

She wrote in her book, “Not being under the same roof with her every day has been the most gut-wrenching experience of my life, and it’s hard to describe the layers of emotion, including sadness, resentment, and anger I felt because of it.

“I grieve that I’m not the mother I thought I’d be, and definitely not the mother I want to be. Trust me, no one should ever have to raise a child on FaceTime.”

She had also supported Ukraine’s war effort when Russia invaded Klitschko’s home, founding relief charity Hoplon International in 2022, to supply the country with medical kits and body armour.

She regularly posted messages of support for her former partner, his brother, who serves as the Kyiv mayor, and the people of Ukraine.