How did Hayden Panettiere's brother Jansen die? Tragic loss left actress with agoraphobia

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Hayden Panettiere broke her silence on her younger brother Jansen Panettiere's tragic death, caused by the undiagnosed heart condition cardiomegaly, in an interview with People on Wednesday, September 18. 

The 'Heroes' candidly addressed the physical and emotional toll caused by the untimely death of her younger sibling, who was found dead in his Nyack, New York, apartment on February 19, 2023, as per Daily Mail.

Jansen Panettiere struggled with substance abuse before his untimely death

At the time, Lesley Vogul and Skip Panettiere, the parents of Hayden Panettiere and Jansen Panettiere, said in a statement that his "sudden passing was due to cardiomegaly (enlarged heart) coupled with aortic valve complications."

Sources told Daily Mail that Jansen "seemed to have sobered up" after spending time in rehabilitation for drugs in 2023, but the graffiti artist later returned to his old habits.

According to his neighbors, the 28-year-old "popped" Oxycodone pills like "gumballs" in the years before his untimely death. They claimed that several times "shabbily dressed" Jansen would arrive at his house in the middle of the night, appearing "wasted."

"He'd come out of a car at 4 am wasted. He said he was just coming back from a shoot. He looked destroyed," claimed another neighbor after his death.

The neighbor described Jansen as a "very nice guy," "very friendly and generous," and "he would always offer me help." They also mentioned that after Jansen "disappeared" for a while, "his father came and got his stuff out and said, 'I have to get him out of here'," and that he then "left for a year."

According to a police report, prepared at the time of his death, three friends found Jansen "unresponsive" upon visiting him at his Nyack home.

When emergency personnel arrived, they found Jansen "laying on his back on the living room floor, not breathing, and cold to the touch with lividity." He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Officials noted that they did not suspect foul play and that "there were no obvious signs of trauma observed."

Hayden Panettiere claims her body just 'ballooned' after brother Jansen Panettiere's tragic death

Speaking to People on Wednesday, September 18, Hayden Panettiere said of her late younger brother Jansen Panettiere, "He was my only sibling, and it was my job to protect him. When I lost him, I felt like I lost half of my soul."

His death came just weeks before the premiere of 'Scream VI', in which the actress reprised the role of Kirby Reed. 

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Hayden put on weight, which made her conscious about herself.

She shared, "I just ballooned out. It didn't matter what I did, what I ate. I know stress and cortisol running through your body can do that. Now I think my body was protecting itself, shielding itself from the world."

"I didn’t feel confident to put on clothes and get out of the house, but I also knew that I needed to get out and keep moving or I’d never stop looking and feeling this way," added Hayden. 

The 'Bring It On: All or Nothing' star used to stay inside her home after Jansen's death.

"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. My agoraphobia came out, which is something I’ve struggled with in the past," shared Hayden, noting, "It became a destructive hamster wheel of, do I feel good enough to go out?"

She gradually resumed her workout routine after getting in touch with personal trainer Marnie Alton via her publicist. The actress felt an instant connection and trust between them.

Marnie helped her take back control of her physical health. "We'd take these long, beautiful walks where we could vent, and it would be this therapy session. She empowered me," said Hayden. 

Hayden is still learning how to balance her grief while returning to her acting career. Her new film, 'Amber Alert', premieres on September 27.