Hayden Panettiere was pronounced dead on Sunday at only 36 years old. Now, her ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, has broken his silence following her death.
911 was called around 1:50 p.m. to a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, after a report of an “unidentified female” in “cardiac arrest.” Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise, was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene,” police said in a statement, according to Page Six.
“The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.”
The actress is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, and her family is now in mourning.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” her father, Skip Panettiere, said in a statement following her death. “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.”
“I will always speak of her mother with respect”
Now, her ex-fiancé and the father of her daughter, Wladimir Klitschko, is speaking out about her tragic death.
“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,” the famous former boxer, who had sole custody of their daughter since 2018 because of Panettiere’s struggles with postpartum depression and addiction, wrote on Facebook.
“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.”