Wladimir Klitschko has raised fresh concerns over the estate of his late former fiancée, Hayden Panettiere, alleging that someone previously connected to the actress may have taken some of her belongings and sold them to a pawn shop.
The former heavyweight champion made the allegation in new court documents filed on October 5 as he continues his effort to protect the inheritance of the couple’s 11-year-old daughter, Kaya.
Klitschko is seeking authority to manage Kaya’s inheritance and help safeguard Panettiere’s remaining assets while questions surrounding her property are addressed.
Court Filing Points to Possible Pawn Shop Sale
According to the filing obtained by the Daily Mail, Klitschko said he had been informed that a non-family member previously connected to Panettiere had allegedly sold items belonging to the actress.
The documents state that the items are believed to include jewelry.
Klitschko said the pawn shop had refused to provide specific information about the property without involvement from law enforcement.
He warned that the lack of action could create a continuing risk that other belongings could be sold, transferred or otherwise become impossible to recover.
Klitschko Wants Law Enforcement to Recover Property
As part of his request to become temporary guardian of Kaya’s estate, Klitschko is seeking authority to request and approve a law-enforcement investigation into property he believes may have been misappropriated.
The legal move follows an earlier filing in which he claimed that some of Panettiere’s personal possessions, including jewelry, had disappeared or could not be accounted for.
The former boxer argues that immediate action is necessary to preserve assets that ultimately belong to his daughter.
$500,000 Engagement Ring Also Reportedly Missing
The latest allegations come after concerns were raised over Panettiere’s engagement ring.
The actress was reportedly unable to be accounted for with the approximately $500,000 ring Klitschko gave her during their relationship.
Her former partner’s legal filings have now expanded the concerns beyond the ring to other personal belongings that may have disappeared.
No allegation of theft against any specific individual has been established in court.
Security Measures Were Taken Before Panettiere’s Death
Klitschko’s earlier petition also claimed that additional security precautions had been introduced at Panettiere’s home before her death.
The documents allege that an unidentified person had previously gained unauthorized access to the actress’s property.
As a result, locks were changed and storage units containing designer clothing and accessories used by Panettiere for public appearances were reportedly moved.
The filing claims there were fears that the individual could continue attempting to take property belonging to the estate.
Some Items Are Already With Investigators
The legal documents further state that certain belongings are currently being held by law enforcement in connection with an ongoing investigation.
Klitschko said an estate administrator is needed to identify and recover missing property and communicate with investigators.
The filing also alleges that federal agents entered Panettiere’s home as part of the investigation and removed some of her belongings.
The precise nature and status of those items were not detailed in the filing.
Klitschko Seeks Control of Daughter’s Inheritance
Panettiere died without a will on August 16, according to the petition, leaving Kaya as the sole beneficiary of her reported $6 million estate.
Although Kaya is a US citizen living abroad with her father, the filing argues that California courts have jurisdiction over the assets being handled through Panettiere’s probate proceedings.
Klitschko wants to temporarily manage the estate on Kaya’s behalf until an appropriate administrator can be appointed.
He has argued that there is currently no personal representative in place to protect Panettiere’s estate.
Former Couple Had a Complicated Family History
Klitschko and Panettiere first met in 2009 and began dating before splitting in 2011.
They later reconciled and became engaged in 2013. Their daughter, Kaya, was born in December 2014.
The couple eventually separated again, although they remained on reportedly amicable terms.
In 2018, Panettiere announced that she had made the difficult decision to give full custody of Kaya to Klitschko, who subsequently moved their daughter to Ukraine.
Panettiere Had Previously Discussed Her Struggles
The custody decision came during a particularly difficult period in Panettiere’s life.
The actress had spoken publicly about depression, alcohol use and substance abuse and had undergone rehabilitation.
In a final interview published in May, Panettiere reflected on the decision to give Klitschko full custody, saying it was not something she had taken lightly and that she had been experiencing a very challenging period.
Klitschko’s current legal actions are focused on protecting Kaya’s financial inheritance and preserving property belonging to Panettiere’s estate.
Actress’ Death Ruled Accidental
Panettiere died aged 36 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office later determined that her death resulted from the toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, alprazolam, methocarbamol and quetiapine.
The manner of death was ruled an accident, and the coroner’s office said its case was administratively closed.
An investigation involving other authorities was nevertheless described in the legal filings as ongoing.
Panettiere Leaves Behind a Major Entertainment Legacy
Panettiere began acting as a child before establishing herself as a prominent television and film performer.
She appeared in productions including A Bug’s Life and Remember the Titans before becoming internationally recognised as Claire Bennet in the television series Heroes.
She later starred as Juliette Barnes in Nashville, earning two Golden Globe nominations and releasing music that appeared on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Her film work also included Bring It On: All or Nothing, Raising Helen, Scream 4 and Scream VI.
Legal Battle Now Centres on Her Estate
Klitschko’s latest filing seeks to give him the authority necessary to protect Kaya’s inheritance and investigate the whereabouts of Panettiere’s missing possessions.
He argues that delaying the appointment of a temporary guardian could increase the risk of additional estate property being lost or transferred.
The allegations concerning the pawn shop and missing jewelry remain claims contained in court documents, and no individual has been publicly identified or charged over the alleged transactions.
Representatives for Panettiere, Klitschko and his attorney have been contacted for comment.
