Hayden Panettiere reflected on her relationship with her daughter and her journey through addiction and recovery in what would become one of her final interviews, speaking with parenting magazine Momé in July about the difficult choices that shaped her family life.
The actress, who was found dead Sunday at age 36, discussed her now-11-year-old daughter Kaya and the traumatic circumstances surrounding her birth in December 2014. Panettiere revealed she nearly lost her life during childbirth, requiring seven blood transfusions and three hours of surgery to survive the medical emergency.
In the interview, Panettiere described struggling with postpartum depression during her recovery. She acknowledged feeling ashamed when the immediate maternal bond she expected did not materialize, contrary to the experiences she had heard other mothers describe.
The actress detailed how she turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism for the emotional void she experienced, ultimately developing a dependency that required professional intervention. This led to what she characterized as the most difficult decision of her life: agreeing to let Kaya live with her father, former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko, while she pursued treatment.
Panettiere emphasized that the custody arrangement was not something she desired, but rather a choice made to prioritize her daughter's wellbeing while she addressed her own health challenges. She expressed her commitment to becoming the mother Kaya deserved through proper treatment and recovery.
Despite the physical separation, Panettiere maintained that she and Kaya remained emotionally connected. She referred to her daughter as her "mini me" and indicated they communicated frequently.
"I love my daughter, and I'm so proud of the young woman she is becoming," Panettiere told Momé, expressing hope that Kaya would eventually comprehend the reasons behind their years of living apart.
The actress also addressed her ongoing personal growth in the interview. "I'm a work in progress -- we all are. I take each day as it comes. I'm doing the work, and I'm doing my best," she told the magazine.
Emergency Medical Service workers responded to a call Sunday regarding an unresponsive female in cardiac arrest. Dispatch audio from the incident included mention of a possible overdose, according to TMZ.com.
The coroner is scheduled to perform an autopsy Monday to establish the cause and manner of death.