Hayden Panettiere’s ex, Wladimir Klitschko, is offering to cover a looming tax bill while asking a court for the authority to protect their daughter’s inheritance. The former boxer says he will pay approximately $30,000 out of his own pocket to prevent interest and penalties from piling up against the late actress’s estate.
The filing comes as Klitschko also raises concerns about Panettiere’s belongings, alleging that a non-relative has already sold some of her jewelry at a pawn shop. Their daughter, Kaya, is the estate’s sole beneficiary, according to the report.
Wladimir Klitschko Says Hayden Panettiere’s Tax Deadline Is Approaching
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Klitschko believes Panettiere’s 2025 individual state and federal income tax returns are due October 15. With that date approaching, he says approximately $30,000 needs to be paid for the year. Rather than wait for the estate to be established, Klitschko says he is prepared to advance the money himself.
His stated goal is to prevent the estate from facing additional interest and penalties. He plans to request reimbursement once the estate is set up. The payment would therefore be an advance from Klitschko, rather than a permanent commitment to personally absorb the bill.
Klitschko Wants Authority To Represent Kaya In The Estate
Klitschko is using the approaching tax deadline to support his request to be appointed Kaya’s guardian so he can represent her interests in the estate. According to TMZ, Kaya is Panettiere’s sole beneficiary. The actress died without a will, leaving Klitschko seeking formal authority to act for their daughter as the estate takes shape. His request involves more than arranging a tax payment. He also wants to address concerns about what is happening to Panettiere’s property.
The former boxer previously filed for temporary guardianship of Kaya. Klitschko says he is willing to use his own funds in the meantime, but he is still asking the court to approve his role in representing Kaya.
He Also Claims Hayden Panettiere’s Jewelry Was Sold At A Pawn Shop
The tax filing follows a separate concern Klitschko raised about the security of Panettiere’s belongings. As The Blast previously reported, he alleges that a non-relative sold some of the actress’s jewelry at a pawn shop. He fears other property could be stolen or sold before he can take steps to protect it for Kaya.
Klitschko says he has struggled to get law enforcement to investigate which items were sold because he has not officially been appointed as his daughter’s representative.
Hayden Panettiere’s Death Was Ruled An Accident
Hayden Panettiere died August 16 at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, after traveling from Los Angeles with her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson. The Greenville County Coroner ruled her manner of death as the result of the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol, and Quetiapine. An earlier autopsy report found “no signs of trauma” that would have contributed to her death.
The actress’s death without a will is also part of the estate situation described in the report. Klitschko’s filings focus on obtaining the authority to represent their daughter while those matters are handled.
Brian Hickerson And His Brother Tried To Revive Her
According to TMZ’s earlier reporting, Hickerson and his brother, Zach, found Panettiere unresponsive inside the Greenville apartment. Hickerson administered Narcan in an attempt to revive her, and the brothers performed CPR until paramedics arrived. Emergency responders continued resuscitation efforts, including advanced cardiac life support and chest compressions. Panettiere could not be revived and was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.
Following her death, federal drug agents searched her Los Angeles home. Sources told TMZ that officials were looking for evidence connected to her drug dealer.
