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Wladimir Klitschko is breaking his silence following the death of his ex-girlfriend, Hayden Panettiere.
Klitschko wrote a heartfelt caption on Instagram calling her death a "profound shock."
"Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief," Klitschko began. "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."
The actress died on Sunday, Aug. 16 where she was found in cardiac arrest at a home in South Carolina, and "resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful," according to the Greenville County Coroner's Office, per CBS.
"She built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry," he continued. "Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives."
The actress is known for roles in several sports films like "Ice Princess," "Remember the Titans," and "Bring It On: All or Nothing."
The former heavyweight champion then turned his message to their daughter Kaya whom they welcomed in 2014. "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."
As Panettiere and Klitschko's families navigate the tragedy, "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. Thank you to everyone who is supporting my family and expressing their sincere condolences," he added.
"Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace," he concluded his message, adding the hashtag #WeLoveYouHayden.
Klitschko, the former heavyweight boxing world champion, and Panettiere began dating in 2009 and got engaged in October 2013. Their daughter, Kaya, was born in December 2014, and four years later, Panettiere gave Klitschko full primary custody of their daughter.
Her career spanned about three decades, from commercials to film and television. While fans watched Panettiere grow up on screen, she was open about the real-life struggles she faced. She had an addiction to opioids and alcohol that began in her teens. Panettiere was open about her struggles involving drugs and alcohol and also about the death of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who tragically died in February 2023 at the age of 28. He passed away from an undiagnosed heart condition.
An official cause of death for Panettiere has not yet been determined.
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English (US)