Wladimir Klitschko has called for a police investigation into what he believes was the unlawful pawning of Hayden Panettiere's jewellery, in a case that is becoming increasingly intertwined with a legal battle over the couple's young daughter's inheritance.
The retired boxing champion filed court documents claiming that a person formerly connected to Panettiere — described as a non-family member — sold some of her belongings to a pawnshop following her death. He alleges the shop has refused to cooperate with his enquiries without official law enforcement involvement, and fears the items could be sold on to third parties before any action is taken.
What the Court Documents Reveal
According to documents obtained by TMZ, Klitschko is requesting that his pending appointment as guardian of their daughter, Kaya, specifically include the authority to request and authorise a law enforcement investigation into the recovery of Panettiere's property. He has argued that retrieving the missing items is directly relevant to Kaya's inheritance from her mother's estate.
This is not the first time Klitschko has raised the alarm. In an earlier petition filed with the Los Angeles County probate court in September, he had already flagged that jewellery was missing and unaccounted for, and alleged that Panettiere's email accounts had been accessed and deleted. He further claimed that before her death, Panettiere herself had hired a security company to protect her home and its contents, prompted by what he described as a "documented concern" that an individual had gained unauthorised access to her property.
"He also claimed that some property is being held by law enforcement, while other items were seized by federal agents."
Klitschko also stated that Panettiere's designer clothing had been relocated in order to prevent it from being taken, though he expressed concern that the same individual would continue attempting to obtain it.
A Daughter's Future at Stake
At the heart of the legal proceedings is twelve-year-old Kaya Klitschko, the daughter Wladimir and Hayden welcomed in 2014. Klitschko already holds sole custody of the child, but is seeking formal guardianship over the estate to be able to assist Kaya with her inheritance. He has cited concerns that without immediate guardianship in place, there is "a high probability" that Panettiere's property "may be lost, damaged or dissipated before a duly appointed personal representative can be in place to protect it."
The couple parted ways in 2018. That same year, Panettiere — who had spoken openly about her struggles with postpartum depression following Kaya's birth — made what was described as the heartbreaking decision to surrender custody of her daughter, with the then-toddler moving to Ukraine to live with Klitschko.
Panettiere's Death and the Investigation
Hayden Panettiere died on 16 August at the age of 36, after being found unresponsive at a South Carolina apartment. The Greenville County Coroner's Office ruled her death accidental, with autopsy results indicating she died as a result of toxic exposure to fentanyl, Xanax, and several other medications. Panettiere had long spoken publicly about her battles with substance misuse and opioid addiction.
"To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was," Klitschko wrote following Panettiere's death.
A private memorial ceremony was held in Malibu approximately a month after her passing, attended by around 150 guests including actress Connie Britton, Ruby Rose, and Evan Ross.
The court has yet to issue a ruling on Klitschko's guardianship petition or the request for investigative authority. With Kaya's inheritance potentially hanging in the balance, the outcome of these proceedings is likely to attract significant attention in the weeks ahead.
