Hayden Panettiere's former partner Wladimir Klitschko has paid tribute to the late actor what would have been her 37th birthday.
Panettiere died last week after she was found unresponsive at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina. She was 36.
Her cause of death had not yet been confirmed, but police said there were "no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances".
Klitschko, who shares an 11-year-old daughter with Panettiere, marked her birthday with an emotional tribute shared to social media, thanking fans for the support shown since her death.
"Today is Hayden’s birthday. Instead of celebrating the way we had planned, today we celebrate her life, her spirit, and the love she brought into this world," the former boxing champion wrote.
"I want to thank all of Hayden’s fans, friends, and everyone who has reached out for the incredible outpouring of love and support. At a time filled with so much sadness, your kindness has reminded me that there is still so much good in humanity.
"If you’re reading this, I ask just one thing: even if only for a moment, think about LOVE. Reach out to a friend. Forgive someone. Be kind.
"Love is a superpower. Use it."
He ended the tribute with: "Happy Birthday, Hayden. You are loved, you are missed, and you will never be forgotten."
Panettiere and Klitschko began dating in 2009 and became engaged in 2013, welcoming Kaya the following year. The pair later separated but remained connected through their daughter.
Last week, Klitschko expressed his "profound shock and grief" following the news of Panettiere's death.
"To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was," he said.
Panettiere rose to stardom as a child actor before becoming best known for her roles as Claire Bennet on the TV series Heroes and Juliette Barnes in Nashville.
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