Kaya Klitschko, 11, appeared in court Thursday alongside her father, Wladimir Klitschko, 50, as a judge granted him temporary guardianship over her late mother Hayden Panettiere’s estate.
The girl participated remotely in the Florida hearing, wearing a white t-shirt and speaking directly to the judge while on camera with her father. She was described as soft-spoken and composed during the proceeding.
Klitschko’s attorney also requested authority for him to ask law enforcement to investigate what they believe is misappropriated property. That request came just two days after the former heavyweight boxing champion filed court documents seeking a police probe into claims that Panettiere’s belongings had been pawned following her death.
He stated in those documents that he believes “a non-family member previously connected to” the actress sold some of her possessions, including jewelry, to a pawn shop. The former boxer added that the shop refused to provide details about the items unless contacted by law enforcement, and he feared they would be sold to third parties without authorities’ involvement.
Sources close to Panettiere’s family said they support Klitschko’s efforts to secure the estate, saying, “Wlad is a great father, and we are grateful.”
In court documents filed last month and, Klitschko wrote that Kaya, who lives with him in Ukraine, “is entitled to the entirety” of her mother’s assets. He called it “urgent and essential” that he be appointed guardian of Panettiere’s estate so that he “may receive, manage and hold” Kaya’s assets on her behalf.
Panettiere and Klitschko began dating in 2009 and became engaged in 2013. They welcomed Kaya in December 2014. The couple continued their relationship on and off before splitting permanently in 2018, when Klitschko was awarded full custody of their daughter.
In September 2022, Panettiere appeared on Jada Pinkett Smith’s “Red Table Talk” and spoke about the custody arrangement. She described signing the papers to give Klitschko full custody as “very upsetting.”
She also called the moment “the worst” and “most heartbreaking thing” she has ever had to do.
The “Nashville” alum died in August at age 36 from an accidental overdose. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed last month that her death resulted from the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine.
Klitschko’s temporary guardianship marks the latest step in managing the aftermath of Panettiere’s death and securing what remains of her estate for their daughter.