Wladimir Klitschko, the former world‑champion boxer and former fiancé of late actress Hayden Panettiere, has filed an urgent petition in Los Angeles County court to serve as the temporary guardian of his 11‑year‑old daughter Kaya’s estate. The filing argues that without immediate appointment, property belonging to Panettiere’s estate may be lost, damaged or dissipated before a permanent personal representative can be named.
Klitschko has had full custody of Kaya for most of her life, and the girl has lived with him in Ukraine. The petition cites items seized in a federal investigation of Panettiere’s death, unnamed individuals who accessed her Los Angeles residence without permission, and valuables that are missing. The petition stresses that the petitioner’s sole intention is to protect the daughter’s future assets until a permanent administrator is appointed.
Panettiere, who starred in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” died on Aug. 16 at age 36 from an accidental overdose of several drugs, including fentanyl, according to a coroner’s report. She had been in rehab weeks earlier and was found unresponsive in an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina. Federal agents have taken Panettiere’s property in the investigation, and the petition notes that no authorized person is currently able to manage the estate.
Klitschko’s lawyers filed the petition on Thursday, which was reported by TMZ on Monday. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8. The former couple began dating in 2009, became engaged in 2013, and had a daughter in 2014. Klitschko, 50, is also an Olympic gold medalist and former heavyweight champion, and his older brother Vitali is mayor of Kyiv. The brothers have been active in supporting Ukraine amid its war with Russia.
