Klitschko Granted Temporary Guardianship of Panettiere Daughter's Estate

Wladimir Klitschko, former world heavyweight boxing champion and ex-fiancée of actress Hayden Panettiere, was granted temporary legal guardianship of his 11-year-old daughter Kaya's estate by a California court on October 8, 2026. The decision came after Panettiere's accidental overdose death on August 16 at age 36, making Kaya the sole beneficiary of her mother's estate.

Klitschko filed an urgent petition on September 24, citing concerns that property from Panettiere's estate was at risk of being lost or misappropriated. According to court filings, pieces of property were being taken by federal law enforcement agents investigating Panettiere's death, and an unidentified nonfamily member had allegedly taken items and attempted to sell some of Panettiere's jewelry at a pawn shop in Los Angeles County. Klitschko also noted that a person previously had gained unauthorized access to Panettiere's home, prompting her to hire security services before her death. Additionally, Panettiere's 2025 state and federal tax returns needed to be filed immediately.

During the October 8 hearing in Los Angeles County court, Kaya appeared briefly by videoconference to confirm her identity to Judge Stephanie Santoro. She was the only person visible on camera, sitting at a table in front of curtains. Klitschko participated via audio only. Judge Santoro granted Klitschko temporary guardian status and authorized him to file probate proceedings, sign outstanding tax returns, and request law enforcement to aid in recovering misappropriated property. The temporary powers remain in effect until a follow-up hearing scheduled for December 7, 2026, though the judge stated Kaya would not need to attend future hearings.

Panettiere, former star of television series "Heroes" and "Nashville," was found unresponsive in a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16. A coroner's report obtained by the Associated Press confirmed her death resulted from accidental overdose of multiple drugs, including fentanyl, alprazolam (Xanax), methocarbamol, and quetiapine. She had completed rehabilitation treatment just weeks before her death. Her on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson were present at the home when she was found.

Klitschko, a 50-year-old Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist who held several heavyweight titles between 2000 and 2015, has maintained full custody of Kaya since the parents separated in 2018. Kaya has resided with him in Ukraine for most of her life. Panettiere's mother, Lesley Vogel, filed a document consenting to Klitschko's appointment as temporary guardian. In her memoir "This Is Me: A Reckoning," released earlier in 2026, Panettiere had publicly acknowledged her decision to allow Klitschko full custody, describing it as "the most gut-wrenching experience of my life."