Klitschko Wins Guardianship of Panettiere’s Daughter’s Estate on October 9

A Los Angeles court granted former heavyweight boxer Wladimir Klitschko temporary guardianship of his 11-year-old daughter Kaya’s estate on Thursday, October 8. Actress Hayden Panettiere died on August 16 at age 36 from an accidental overdose. Kaya appeared by video at the hearing as the court authorized Klitschko to work with police to recover jewelry allegedly taken and pawned by a non-family member.

Court grants guardianship and police authority

Judge Stephanie Santoro appointed Klitschko temporary guardian of Kaya’s estate and authorized him to file a probate petition on her behalf. The court also gave him permission to sign Panettiere’s outstanding 2025 state and federal tax returns and to request law enforcement to recover personal property. Klitschko’s lawyer, Diane Park, told the court the matter was urgent because assets were at risk of going unaccounted for during the death investigation.

Jewelry allegedly sold to pawn shop

Court documents state that someone described as a non-family member associated with Panettiere took items after her death and attempted to sell jewelry at a pawn shop in Los Angeles County. The pawn shop has declined to disclose specific item information without being contacted by law enforcement, according to court filings. Park said there is a risk that Panettiere’s items will be sold, transferred, or rendered unrecoverable, causing direct financial harm to Kaya’s inheritance.

Kaya appears remotely at hearing

Kaya appeared by video from a seat in front of curtains at the brief hearing. When the judge asked if she was present, she replied, “Yes, that was me.” Klitschko appeared on audio only using the same account. The 11-year-old is Panettiere’s sole heir and has lived with her father in Ukraine for most of her life, with Klitschko holding full custody.

Panettiere’s death and ongoing investigation

Panettiere, the former star of television series “Heroes” and “Nashville,” was found unresponsive in a Greenville, South Carolina apartment on August 16. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office determined her death was accidental, caused by an overdose of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol, and quetiapine. An ongoing investigation into her death is being conducted by federal law enforcement, with some of her property currently held by investigators.

Final Thoughts

Klitschko now has legal authority to protect his daughter’s inheritance and work with police to recover allegedly misappropriated assets. The temporary guardianship allows him to manage Panettiere’s estate matters until a long-term administrator is appointed.

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