In one of her final interviews, Hayden Panettiere spoke lovingly about her daughter, hoping that one day her child would understand the years they spent apart.
The actress shared her story with parenting magazine Momé in July, just weeks before her death.
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She recalled the traumatic birth of her now-11-year-old daughter, Kaya, and the painful custody decision that followed.
Hayden said she nearly died when she gave birth to Kaya in December 2014. She needed seven blood transfusions and three hours of surgery.
During recovery, Hayden experienced postpartum depression.
She felt ashamed when she didn't feel the instant rush of love she had always heard mothers describe.
To cope with the emptiness, Hayden turned to alcohol, eventually developing a dependency.
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She later agreed to let Kaya live with her father, former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko, while she sought treatment.
She called this the hardest decision of her life.
Hayden said she never wanted to give up custody, but she knew she had to put Kaya first and get the help she needed to become the mom her daughter deserved.
Despite the distance, Hayden said they remained close. She called Kaya her 'mini me' and said they spoke all the time.
She added, 'I love my daughter, and I'm so proud of the young woman she is becoming.'
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She hoped Kaya would one day understand why Hayden couldn't always be by her side.
Hayden also acknowledged she was still healing. She told the magazine, '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.'
As reported, Hayden was found dead Sunday at age 36.
Emergency Medical Service workers responded to a call about an unresponsive female in cardiac arrest, and dispatch audio mentioned a possible 'overdose.'
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The coroner will perform an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.