Hayden Panettiere is discussing the profound impact of her brother Jansen’s sudden death at the age of 28 last year. In a revealing interview with People for its latest cover, the Scream actress shared her struggles following his unexpected passing in 2023 due to an enlarged heart and complications related to the aortic valve.
“He was my only sibling, and I felt it was my duty to protect him,” Panettiere expressed. “Losing him felt like losing half of my soul.”
Following his passing, she found it increasingly difficult to leave her home, particularly after the paparazzi began tailing her, even capturing her at his funeral. “I was confronted with horrific photos of myself leaving Jansen’s funeral, which was meant to be a private moment, and it was truly shocking,” she said, noting that this triggered her previous struggles with agoraphobia.
Panettiere described experiencing significant weight gain, which affected her self-esteem and confidence, making it challenging for her to go out. She recognized the need to confront these feelings, or risk remaining stuck in her current mindset. “It spiraled into a cycle of doubt regarding whether I felt good enough to go out,” she added.
With the help of her publicist, she was introduced to personal trainer Marnie Alton, marking a turning point in her journey toward recovery. The two developed a strong bond, combining fitness with deep conversations, effectively transforming their workouts into therapy sessions.
Panettiere reported that her body responded positively to these changes, not only improving her physical fitness but also helping her to manage the stress and self-imposed expectations she had been carrying.
While learning to cope with her brother’s loss, she has emerged with a renewed perspective on life, recognizing that such a tragic event alters one’s approach to everyday challenges. “When something so catastrophic occurs, it changes your outlook on what can truly disturb you,” she noted.
Looking ahead, Panettiere stars in Amber Alert alongside Tyler James Williams, which tells the story of a rideshare trip that escalates into a tense chase related to an Amber Alert. While she is excited about the film’s release on demand and in theaters on September 27, she acknowledges that she is still grieving her brother. “I will always carry heartbreak from this. No matter how much time passes, I will never fully recover from his loss,” she stated.