Hayden Panettiere had plans to visit her 11-year-old daughter Kaya in Ukraine before she passed away at age 36. The actress died on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in Greenville, South Carolina. She was found unresponsive at a home and pronounced dead at the scene.
The “Heroes” and “Nashville” star shared Kaya with her ex-fiancé, former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko. Her daughter has lived with Klitschko in Ukraine since 2018.
Friend Reveals Hayden Panettiere’s Plans to Visit Daughter
Erick Orellana, Panettiere’s friend and hairstylist of three years, told Page Six that the actress had been talking about taking a trip to see Kaya. Orellana said he last saw her a few months ago.
“She was talking about how she wanted to take a vacation and that she wanted to go and see her daughter. Her daughter was always her absolute priority. She loved her so much.”
Orellana described how Panettiere would light up when talking about Kaya. He said she often showed him pictures of her daughter and told stories about her.
“Her daughter was the absolute light of her life. She lit up whenever she spoke about her. Everything she did revolved around her.”
The hairstylist also shared his thoughts on Panettiere’s passing. He said he believes it was an accident.
“I can’t imagine that this is anything but accidental because she just loves her daughter and would never have left her.”
Why Kaya Lives in Ukraine With Her Father
Panettiere and Klitschko got engaged in October 2013. Their daughter Kaya Evdokia Klitschko was born in December 2014 in Hawaii.
The couple split in 2018. That same year, Panettiere made the difficult choice to give full custody of Kaya to Klitschko. She was dealing with alcoholism, depression, and substance abuse at the time.
Panettiere spoke about this decision in previous interviews. She said she wanted what was best for Kaya. The actress admitted she felt incapable of raising her daughter during that period of her life.
Kaya moved to Ukraine with her father in the summer of 2018. Panettiere later revealed that she did not know Kaya would be moving to Ukraine until it had already happened.
“[Kaya] would go back and forth from me in Nashville and Ukraine, and then once she was over there, it was immediately, ‘I want full custody of her,’ which was a shock to me.”
Hayden Panettiere’s Bond With Her Daughter
Despite the distance, Panettiere maintained a close relationship with Kaya. She traveled to see her daughter whenever she could. They also stayed in touch through FaceTime calls.
In one of her final interviews, Panettiere spoke lovingly about Kaya. She expressed hope that her daughter would understand why they could not be together for years.
“I will always want her here. I always miss her. I always want to have my arms wrapped around her, but that’s just not the way life is right at this moment.”
She added that she had faith they would have an incredible relationship in the future.
Just three months before her death, Panettiere revealed that Kaya called her “Britney” and thought she was cool. The mother-daughter pair would FaceTime from Ukraine.
Wladimir Klitschko’s Tribute to Hayden Panettiere
Klitschko shared a statement on social media following Panettiere’s death. He expressed deep sadness over the loss.
“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.”
Klitschko spoke about Panettiere’s career and the challenges she faced.
“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 made a promise about their daughter Kaya.
“To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was.”
Klitschko also sent condolences to Panettiere’s parents, friends, and fans. He asked for privacy during this difficult time.
“Young and talented people like Hayden should not leave this world so soon. Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace.”
Investigation and Cause of Death
Authorities have not yet released an official cause of death. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office completed an autopsy on Panettiere.
“At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death. The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies.”
Police have said the preliminary investigation shows no signs of foul play. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
In audio from a 911 call made at 1:51 PM on Sunday, a dispatcher described Panettiere as suffering cardiac arrest. A male dispatcher later mentioned a suspected overdose. Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:32 PM.
The actress was due to turn 37 on Friday, August 21.
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Hayden Panettiere’s Final Days and Family
Panettiere had visited her father, Alan “Skip” Panettiere, just a month before her death. Neighbors said her father was only beginning to recover from the death of his son, Jansen, who passed away in February 2023 at age 28.
Her father confirmed her passing in a statement.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her.”
Kaya is currently safe and not in Ukraine. Panettiere had previously confirmed this on social media. Reports indicate Kaya has been living in Europe, mainly in Germany, where Klitschko has property. She attends school there, rides horses, and learns languages.
The planned trip to Ukraine that Panettiere talked about with Orellana never happened. The actress passed away before she could see her daughter again.
Panettiere’s death marks another tragedy for a family that has already experienced immense loss. Her brother Jansen’s death in 2023 from complications with an enlarged heart deeply affected the family. Now, less than four years later, they are grieving the loss of Hayden as well.
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