Hayden Panettiere reportedly planned to visit her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, shortly before the actress died at age 36.
Her friend and hairstylist, Erick Orellana, said Panettiere discussed taking a vacation and seeing Kaya. The child lives in Europe with her father, former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko.
Orellana worked with Panettiere for approximately three years. He last saw the “Heroes” actress several months before her death on August 16, 2026.
Friend Says Kaya Was Her Priority
Orellana said Panettiere frequently showed him photographs of Kaya and shared stories about her. He described the young girl as the light of the actress’s life.
“Her daughter was always her absolute priority,” Orellana told Page Six.
He also remembered Panettiere as happy, positive and supported by a small group of close friends in Los Angeles. Orellana said she celebrated her friends’ achievements and brought infectious energy into their lives.
His belief that her death was accidental remains a personal opinion. Authorities have not announced the official cause or manner of Panettiere’s death.
Hayden Rejected Claims She Abandoned Kaya
Panettiere and Klitschko welcomed Kaya in December 2014. Their daughter began living primarily with her father in Europe while Panettiere faced postpartum depression, anxiety and addiction.
The actress strongly rejected claims that she willingly abandoned her child. She described the custody change as one of the most painful experiences of her life.
During a May appearance on Jay Shetty’s “On Purpose” podcast, Panettiere said she traveled to see Kaya whenever possible. They also stayed connected through frequent video calls and meaningful conversations.
“I have an incredible relationship with her,” Panettiere said, according to NBC Bay Area.
Panettiere said Kaya knew that both parents loved and supported her. She described their relationship as an intense and incredible bond despite the physical distance between them.
Kaya Built a Life in Europe
Panettiere explained that Kaya had developed a stable life surrounded by relatives and friends. After recovering, the actress decided that removing Kaya from that environment would have been unfair.
She also revealed an intriguing detail about her daughter’s life. Kaya speaks five languages and enjoys activities including horseback riding.
Panettiere maintained a close co-parenting relationship with Klitschko. She said they remained friends and regularly communicated about their daughter’s well-being.
Following Panettiere’s death, Klitschko promised to protect her memory for Kaya. He said he would always speak respectfully about the actress and ensure their daughter remembered who her mother was.
What Authorities Have Confirmed
Emergency responders arrived at a temporary residence in Greenville, South Carolina, at approximately 1:51 p.m. on August 16. They found Panettiere unresponsive and attempted to resuscitate her.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. An autopsy found no physical trauma that contributed to her death.
Police also reported no preliminary evidence of foul play or suspicious circumstances. The official cause and manner of death remain under investigation, according to People.
Emergency dispatch audio reportedly referred to a possible overdose and cardiac arrest. However, dispatch information reflects the initial emergency response and does not provide a final medical conclusion.
A Mother Looking Toward the Future
Panettiere spoke openly about motherhood only three months before her death. She wanted Kaya to understand that her struggles were never the child’s fault.
The actress also hoped her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” would eventually help Kaya understand the complicated choices she made. The book explored childhood fame, postpartum depression, addiction and recovery.
Orellana’s account now adds a painful final detail to Panettiere’s story. She was not only maintaining her relationship with Kaya but reportedly planning their next reunion.
That unfinished plan has become another source of heartbreak for those mourning Panettiere. It also challenges the public narrative that distance had weakened the bond between the actress and her daughter.