Published: 08:15 BST, 18 August 2026 | Updated: 17:43 BST, 18 August 2026
Hayden Panettiere's ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko has spoken out for the first time since the star's death.
The actress, who died on Sunday, had a daughter with the boxer, 50. In 2018, when Kaya was three, she signed full custody to her ex amid her battle with postpartum depression and addiction and Wladimir moved their daughter to his native Ukraine.
A post-mortem examination showed there were 'no signs of trauma' – although her official cause of death, which came less than a week before her 37th birthday, is yet to be confirmed. Her ex, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach, were in the apartment when she died, according to a police report released on Tuesday.
Narcan, a nasal spray used to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, was found on a mattress inside the South Carolina property, it was revealed on Monday.
Naloxone, the active ingredient in Narcan Nasal Spray, blocks opioids like heroin, fentanyl, morphine and prescription painkillers from binding to brain receptors.
It allows the person to start breathing again within two to three minutes and stays active in the body for 30 to 90 minutes.
It is still unclear if Narcan had been used to try and revive Panettiere, although 911 audio obtained earlier on Monday revealed that the actress had gone into cardiac arrest following a suspected overdose.
Sharing a sweet snap of the family in happier times this morning, Wladimir wrote: '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…
Hayden Panettiere's ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko has spoken out after the star's death
Sharing a sweet snap of the family in happier times, he added a caption reading: 'Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief'
'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…
