Hayden Panettiere talked about daughter Kaya in heartbreaking final interview: ‘She’s like a mini-me’

EntertainmentHayden Panettiere arrives at the premiere of "Blonde," Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)By Kelly Corbett | kcorbett@syracuse.comHayden Panettiere died on Sunday, Aug. 16 at age 36. She was survived by her daughter Kaya, 11, whom she shared with her ex Wladimir Klitschko. In 2018, Panettiere granted Klitschko full custody of Kaya as she sought treatment for substance abuse. The father-daughter duo moved to Ukraine that same year.In one of her final interviews before her passing, she opened up to Mome magazine in July about her near-death experience giving birth and the painful custody decision that followed.The “Heroes” star told the outlet that she nearly died when she gave birth to Kaya in December 2014, requiring seven blood transfusions and three hours of surgery. “I closed my eyes and just prayed for my daughter to be okay,” Panettiere said. “I truly was ready to go if it was my time. Kaya being safe and healthy was all that mattered.”Fortunately, Panettiere made it through Kaya’s labor, only to be diagnosed with postpartum depression in the aftermath. “I felt nothing. And now I had to figure out how to bond with her,” she said.Panettiere then began drinking to fill the void, revealing, “It was how I would get through each day.” Becoming dependent on alcohol, she knew she needed help and that the only way to achieve sobriety was to give full custody to Klitschko.“It wasn’t a decision I made lightly, nor was it a decision I even wanted to make,” she said. “I was going through a really challenging time in my life… I knew I needed to be able to put her first so that I could get the help I needed and be the mom she needed me to be.”After getting sober, Panettiere was able to grow a closer relationship with Kaya.“I love my daughter, and I’m so proud of the young woman she is becoming. I talk to her all the time, and I feel so connected to her,” Panettiere said, adding, “She’s like a mini-me.”Panettiere also acknowledged to the magazine that she was still healing, telling the outlet, “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.”On Monday, new details emerged surrounding Panettiere’s death.Law enforcement confirmed to People that police officers and emergency medical services responded to reports of an “unresponsive female” at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, around 1:50 p.m. local time on Sunday, Aug. 16. The woman was later identified as Panettiere.According to a 911 call obtained by the outlet, officials discussed an apparent “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” while treating Panettiere. A rep for Panettiere told People, “I don’t have any more information at this time, but it’s looking as though that is the case.”Kelly Corbett is a Trending News Reporter for syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. She covers a wide range of topics from celebrity and TV news to store closings and product recalls. In addition to syracuse.com,...