Inside Hayden Panettiere’s relationship with daughter Kaya and custody decision

Panettiere welcomed Kaya with former boxer Wladimir Klitschko, on December 9, 2014

Hayden Panettiere spoke openly about her relationship with daughter Kaya and the decision to transfer custody to her father, former boxer Wladimir Klitschko, before her death aged 36.

Panettiere and Klitschko welcomed Kaya on December 9, 2014.

The couple later separated in 2018, while Kaya predominantly lived with her father after Panettiere sought treatment for postpartum depression and addiction.

Discussing the custody decision, Panettiere told Us Weekly, “It was a nightmare. It was a living nightmare, and I felt so out of control. There’s nothing that I could do about it.”

She said her struggles had affected her ability to be the mother she wanted to be. “I had it like all planned out in my head, and as the plans just collapsed, the postpartum came, and I was completely out of control,” she said.

Panettiere later explained that Kaya’s wellbeing guided her decision.

“There’s so much of me that wanted to fight, but I had to ultimately take into consideration the most important thing, which was how this was all going to affect my daughter,” she said.

She also praised Klitschko as a parent, saying, “Wlad is an incredible father, and I know he was doing what he felt was best for our daughter.”

Panettiere described Kaya as “just an incredible gift” and said they maintained a close bond despite living apart.

“There’s been a common misconception that I just gave up my child, when that couldn’t be farther from the truth,” she said.

During a May appearance on the On Purpose With Jay Shetty podcast, Panettiere said Kaya “in no way feels abandoned” and added that she travelled to see her daughter as much as possible.

Panettiere died on Sunday, August 16, aged 36. Her father, Alan Lee “Skip” Panettiere, confirmed her death through her representative, asking for privacy as the family processed the loss.

Police are investigating the circumstances, with no signs of foul play reported.