Wladimir Klitschko, Hayden Panettiere's former fiancé, has publicly addressed the tragic news of the actress's untimely passing at the age of 36.
The 50-year-old ex-heavyweight boxing champion conveyed his feelings of “shock and grief” in a heartfelt statement posted on social media on Tuesday morning.
Hayden, renowned for her performances in Heroes and Nashville, passed away in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, August 16, merely one week prior to her 37th birthday.
Wladimir Klitschko pays heartfelt tribute to Hayden Panettiere
Wladimir, who has an 11-year-old daughter named Kaya with Hayden, shared a family photo accompanied by a touching message that stated: “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.
"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.
“Thank you to everyone who is supporting my family and expressing their sincere condolences. Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace.”
Who has Kaya's custody?
At the age of four, Kaya's primary custody was transferred from Hayden to Wladimir as she sought help for her issues with alcohol and opioid addiction. The Heroes actress has been very open about her battle with intense postpartum depression.
Earlier this year, the actress discussed with Us Weekly the importance of fostering a positive relationship not only with her daughter but also with Wladimir as a co-parent.
"I have an incredible relationship with both of them. I'm so grateful for Wlad. We're very close, and have had a deep friendship, along with a relationship, since I met him when I was 19," she said.
"To see that we still have this bond and the ability to coparent and show our daughter [that] even though we're not together, doesn't mean that there's a lack of love here, and it doesn't mean that you're unsafe," Hayden added.