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The sudden death of actress Hayden Panettiere at age 36 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday came as a shock to her millions of fans. Panettiere’s death has also touched the boxing world.
She was the former fiancée of Hall of Fame former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, who has custody of their 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, and maintained a friendly relationship with her despite their split.
Klitschko, who lives in Ukraine, addressed her passing in a statement.
“Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief,” Klitschko said. “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.
“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.”
Panettiere, who was a staple at ringside in the later stages of Klitschko’s career before his 2017 retirement, struggled for years with alcohol and opioid addiction and also went through a well-publicized bout of postpartum depression. She was also open about the toll of being a child star took on her in a memoir released this past May.
“I extend my deepest condolences to Hayden’s parents, her friends, and her fans, who are also grieving today,” Klitschko said. “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.
“Thank you to everyone who is supporting my family and expressing their sincere condolences. Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace.”
Panettiere was known for her roles in the hit television shows “Nashville” and “Heroes” and roles in movies such as “Remember the Titans,” “Raising Helen,” “Ice Princess” and “Scream 4.”
Emergency medical services responded to a 911 call at the residence and found Panettiere, who would have turned 37 on Aug. 21, unresponsive and in cardiac arrest and performed resuscitation efforts that failed.
The cause of her death has not yet been determined and is pending an autopsy.
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Photos: Getty and Klitschko social media
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