Klitschko Promises Kaya: 'She Will Remember the Person She Was'

Wladimir Klitschko posted on Instagram after the coroner confirmed Hayden Panettiere's fentanyl death, and he made it about their daughter. "To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was," Klitschko wrote. "She left this world far too soon."

Panettiere died August 16 at 36 from an accidental overdose involving fentanyl and four other substances in Greenville, South Carolina. She had been released from a Malibu rehabilitation facility weeks before. Her father, Skip Panettiere, called her "an incredible light and a force of nature."

Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, the daughter Panettiere and Klitschko share, is 11 years old and lives in Ukraine with her father. Panettiere gave Klitschko full custody in 2018 while she addressed her health struggles. She stayed connected through FaceTime and visits. In her memoir published in May, she described Kaya as "the greatest gift of my life, with all the best parts of her father and me."

Hollywood Breaks Its Silence

Tributes flooded in from co-stars, peers and friends. Viola Davis, who worked with Panettiere on the 2016 film "Custody," called her "An old, wise soul with such a deep heart" and added: "Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you." Kelly Osbourne wrote on Instagram: "We understood each other in a way few truly can ... I will always believe you deserved better."

"Nashville" co-star Connie Britton posted images of the two together. "This was Hayden. Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright. I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak." Selma Blair stripped it to five words: "I love you. Don't be gone."

Bethany Joy Lenz, another "Nashville" co-star, wrote: "She knew her lines and everyone else's. Her intelligence was astonishing." Bryan Fuller, who created Panettiere's role as Claire Bennet in "Heroes," said she "left an indelible mark on me as a writer and a storyteller." SAG-AFTRA released a formal statement, noting: "Our hearts are with her daughter, family, friends and fans."

'She Speaks Five Languages'

Panettiere spoke at length about Kaya on Jay Shetty's podcast earlier this year. "She's an incredible little girl, so happy and speaks five languages," Panettiere said. "Although I miss Kaya so much my heart aches, I know how blessed I am." She described their relationship as "really intense, incredible."

Klitschko's Instagram post framed what comes next: "Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya. Young and talented people like Hayden should not leave this world so soon." He did not take questions.

Greenville Police and the DEA both have open investigations into the source of the fentanyl pills found at the scene. The coroner's case is closed. Kaya, 11, is in Ukraine with Klitschko, who has made his intentions clear.

Ad Watch News is an independent commentary site with no affiliation to Hayden Panettiere, Wladimir Klitschko, or any party named here. This report is drawn from the outlets linked and listed below.

Klitschko Promises Kaya: 'She Will Remember the Person She Was'

Hollywood Breaks Its Silence

'She Speaks Five Languages'

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