Hayden Panettiere's ex Wladimir Klitschko says family in 'profound shock and grief'

Hayden Panettiere and Wladimir Klitschko had a daughter together in 2014 Hayden Panettiere's ex-partner Wladimir Klitschko has posted an emotional tribute to the "talented" late Heroes and Nashville star, who he said has "left this world too soon". The Ukrainian former world heavyweight boxing champion, who shares an 11-year-old daughter with Panettiere, said the family is going through "profound shock and grief" following her death at the age of 36. Panettiere died in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday and police said there were not "any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances". She had struggled for years with substance abuse and audio from police dispatchers and crews said they were responding to a "cardiac arrest" and detailed their efforts to resuscitate the woman after a possible "overdose". The Greenville County Coroner's Office said crews treated a woman in "cardiac arrest" and her autopsy showed "no signs of trauma", but that the cause of death has not been confirmed.

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Scoop News DeskNashville, Tennessee · Published Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 8:44 AM UTCUpdated Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 4:59 AM UTC

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Her co-star Justin Chatwin has shared how the actress was "struggling" on the set of the thriller in early 2025. "Hayden seemed different when I met her this time than when I met her in the early years," Chatwin told People , external . "I've been sober for 15 years, so I know this world of addiction, and Hollywood - it takes, and it takes from youth." He added: "I could tell she was struggling, and I was like, 'I don't think it's this movie'." "There's a handful of women that I've worked with that I really liked, and I really loved working with her, but I also know that she was really lonely." Tributes to actress Hayden Panettiere as coroner finds 'no signs of trauma' Hayden Panettiere: A life of struggles alongside screen success In pictures: Hayden Panettiere's life and career, from child actor to Scream star Watch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC Sacked Ukrainian defence minister calls for presidential election Three dead after family get into difficulty in sea 'Everyone in for Christmas' - Burnham unveils rough sleeping plan 'Banned over a pair of £2 sandals': Why some sellers are complaining about Vinted Tracking USS Lincoln's months-long mission as concerns about conditions grow. Trust me, no one should ever have to raise a child on FaceTime." She remained involved in her daughter's life and added that "despite it all, the bond I have with Kaya is incredibly strong". Klitschko helped get her treatment but when their daughter was three, he asked her to sign over custody.

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