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Klitschko breaks silence on ex Hayden Panettiere's 'shocking' death in heartbreaking statement

Hayden Panettiere shares young daughter Kaya with heavyweight boxing legend Wladimir Klitschko, and he said the actress "left this world far too soon"

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Wladimir Klitschko said his family are "going through a time of profound shock and grief" after Hayden's death(Image: Photofab/Jaworski/Shutterstock)

Wladimir Klitschko has paid a heartbreaking tribute to his ex, Hayden Panettiere. The US actress died on Sunday (August 16) at the age of 36, her family confirmed.

The star of Heroes and Nashville welcomed daughter Kaya with heavyweight boxing icon Wladimir back in 2014. He has now broken his silence on her death with a gut-wrenching Instagram post, alongside a sweet photo of him, Hayden and Kaya.

He wrote: "Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief. The announcement of Haydens tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon.

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The boxer shared a sweet photo of him and Hayden with their daughter, Kaya

"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.

He added a poignant message to Kaya as well as Hayden's loved ones: "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 Haydens parents, her friends, and her fans, who are also grieving today. Young and talented people like Hayden should not leave this world so soon.

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The Heroes star said she was "blessed" to be Kaya's mum(Image: xxxxxxxx/Twitter)

"I ask everyone to please respect our familys feelings and privacy during this incredibly difficult time. For now, this is all I wish to say."

Wladimir concluded his post by addressing Hayden directly, adding: "Thank you to everyone who is supporting my family and expressing their sincere condolences. Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace. #WeLoveYouHayden".

Hayden and Wladimir split in 2018, and the star opened up about the heartbreak she suffered at losing custody of Kaya to Klitschko. She was battling severe postpartum depression and addiction at the time - and checked into rehab.

In her 2026 memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, Hayden wrote: "Not being under the same roof with her every day has been the most gut-wrenching experience of my life, and its hard to describe the layers of emotion, including sadness, resentment, and anger, Ive felt because of it.

"I grieve that Im not the mother I thought Id be and definitely not the mother I want to be (trust me, no one should ever have to raise a child on FaceTime), and although I miss Kaya so much my heart aches, I know how blessed I am to be her mom.

"She is the greatest gift of my life, with all the best parts of her father and me." Hayden and Wladimir had remained on good terms, and the actress wrote about how her bond with Kaya remained "incredibly strong" despite them living apart.

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