Wladimir Klitschko honors Hayden Panettiere on her would-be 37th birthday

Wladimir Klitschko, the former fiancé of actress Hayden Panettiere, paid tribute to her on what would have been her 37th birthday, five days after her death in South Carolina. Klitschko shared a heartfelt message on Instagram on Friday, August 21, honoring the mother of their 11-year-old daughter, Kaya.

Panettiere, known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, was found unresponsive in an apartment in Greenville on Sunday, August 16. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:31 p.m. According to officials, she was in cardiac arrest. A postmortem examination completed on Monday found no signs of trauma, but an official cause of death has not yet been announced. Police have confirmed the death is under investigation and have ruled out foul play.

In his Instagram post, Klitschko wrote, "Today is Hayden's birthday. Instead of celebrating the way we had planned, today we celebrate her life, her spirit, and the love she brought into this world." He thanked fans and friends for their support, adding, "At a time filled with so much sadness, your kindness has reminded me that there is still so much good in humanity." He concluded with a direct message to Panettiere: "Happy Birthday,...