Hayden Panettiere is sharing her feelings about the tragic loss of her brother, Jansen, who passed away at the age of 28 last year. In a recent interview with People for their cover story, the Scream actress opened up about the challenges she faced after his sudden death in 2023, which was caused by an enlarged heart and complications related to the aortic valve.
“He was my only sibling, and it was my job to protect him,” she expressed in the interview. “When I lost him, I felt like I lost half of my soul.”
Following his passing, Panettiere struggled with the urge to isolate herself, particularly after paparazzi intruded on her grief, capturing images of her at his funeral. “I had to see horrific paparazzi pictures of myself coming out of Jansen’s funeral, which happened in a very private place, and it was shocking,” she shared. This experience triggered her long-standing battle with agoraphobia.
The actress revealed that she dealt with rapid weight gain that affected her self-esteem, making her feel uncomfortable in public. However, she recognized the need to address her feelings or risk being trapped in a cycle of negativity. “It became a destructive hamster wheel of, do I feel good enough to go out?” she added.
Panettiere’s publicist played a pivotal role in helping her through this difficult time by introducing her to personal trainer Marnie Alton. Their immediate rapport led to a positive change in Panettiere’s life, as they began training together. Their sessions often felt therapeutic, filled with conversations during long walks.
As she persisted with her fitness journey, the Nashville star noticed significant changes in her body and emotional well-being, allowing her to alleviate some of the stress she had been carrying. In processing her brother’s loss, she gained a fresh perspective on life, learning to prioritize what truly matters and not sweating the small stuff. “Because once something so horrific, so deep, so catastrophic happens in your life, there’s not much that can really rock you,” she noted.
Looking ahead, Panettiere is set to star alongside Abbott Elementary’s Tyler James Williams in the film Amber Alert, which depicts a high-stakes chase during a rideshare trip. While she is excited for the film’s release on demand and in theaters on September 27, she acknowledges that the grief of losing her brother is an enduring part of her life. “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.”