Hayden Panettiere is sharing her experience of grief after the unexpected death of her brother, Jansen, who passed away at the age of 28 last year. In a candid interview for this week’s cover of People, the Scream actress opened up about the profound impact his loss had on her life. Jansen died in 2023 due to complications from an enlarged heart and aortic valve issues.
“He was my only sibling, and it was my job to protect him,” Panettiere expressed. “When I lost him, I felt like I lost half of my soul.”
Following his passing, Panettiere struggled with her mental health, particularly when faced with paparazzi intrusion after his death. She described the experience of seeing unflattering photos of herself at his funeral as shocking, which exacerbated her feelings of distress. “My agoraphobia came out, which is something I’ve struggled with in the past,” she admitted.
The actress revealed that the stress took a toll on her physical health, leading to significant weight gain that affected her self-esteem. Feeling unconfident about leaving her home, she recognized the need to confront these feelings to avoid perpetuating a negative cycle.
“I had to find a way out,” she stated.
Panettiere’s publicist introduced her to personal trainer Marnie Alton, which marked the beginning of a positive change in her life. Together, they embarked on long walks that served as both exercise and therapeutic discussions. This new routine not only improved her physical fitness but also helped her manage stress and let go of self-imposed expectations.
As she learns to cope with her brother’s loss, Panettiere has gained a new outlook on life, choosing to focus on what truly matters and letting lesser issues slide. “Once something so horrific happens, there’s not much that can really rock you,” she noted.
Looking ahead, Panettiere is set to star alongside Tyler James Williams in Amber Alert, a film about a rideshare trip that escalates into a dangerous pursuit tied to an Amber Alert. While she is excited for its release on September 27, she acknowledges that her grief remains ever-present.
“I will always be heartbroken about it. I will never be able to get over it,” she reflected. “No matter how many years go by, I will never get over his loss.”