Hayden Panettiere's 11-Year-Old Daughter Appears at Court Hearing as Father Seeks Missing Jewelry

Hayden Panettiere’s 11-year-old daughter appeared by video at a Los Angeles court hearing as her father successfully petitioned for legal powers to track down missing property. The late star's daughter, Kaya, spoke briefly during the Thursday proceedings before her camera was turned off. Her father, Wladimir Klitschko, attended the virtual session using the same account to handle legal matters regarding the estate.

During the Thursday court appearance, Kaya spoke first from a seat in front of a set of curtains to politely greet the judge. When the judge asked if it was her speaking, her father confirmed he was with her using the same account and maintained an audio connection. The camera was turned off shortly afterward while the legal team outlined their requests to the court.

Judge Stephanie Santoro granted Klitschko’s request to be appointed temporary guardian of his daughter’s estate. The ruling authorizes him to file a probate petition on behalf of Kaya, who is noted in court filings as the sole heir. Additionally, Klitschko was given permission to sign Panettiere’s outstanding 2025 state and federal tax returns and to request law enforcement assistance in recovering personal property.

Legal representation for the family detailed concerns regarding missing items from the estate during the hearing. Attorney Diane Park informed the court that law enforcement currently holds estate property that the family is working to have returned as quickly as possible. Court documents note an ongoing investigation connected to Panettiere.

The attorney told the court that a non-family member associated with the late star allegedly misappropriated personal property belonging to the estate. According to the legal team, this individual reportedly visited a pawn shop to attempt to sell items believed to be jewelry. Neither the individual nor the specific pawn shop was publicly identified during the hearing, though both the person and the property were confirmed to be located in Los Angeles County.

Klitschko initially sought these legal powers after claiming that unidentified non-family members previously connected to Panettiere had accessed and destroyed her emails. Subsequent claims indicated that personal items, including jewelry, were missing and potentially already sold. Court filings expressed concern that without intervention, there remains a continued risk that remaining items could be transferred or rendered unrecoverable.

The temporary powers granted to Klitschko will remain in effect until a scheduled follow-up hearing in December. The ongoing legal proceedings aim to protect the estate's remaining assets and interface directly with law enforcement investigators handling the case.

The recent court developments mark an important step for the family as they navigate the legal process following Panettiere's unexpected passing. The upcoming December hearing will revisit the status of the temporary guardianship and further efforts to recover the missing property.