In her first public interview since the death of her younger brother Jansen, Hayden Panettiere has opened up about the profound impact of his sudden passing. Jansen, who was 28, died from an undiagnosed heart condition, leaving Panettiere grappling with immense grief.
Speaking to People, the actress and singer described the loss as devastating. “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,” Panettiere shared.
The tragedy struck at a time when Panettiere was working on a career comeback and managing her recovery from addiction. The suddenness of her brother’s death exacerbated her emotional struggles, leading to severe agoraphobia and significant weight gain. “I just ballooned out,” she said. “The stress and cortisol from the situation made me feel unrecognizable.”
Despite these challenges, Panettiere found solace through personal trainer Marnie Alton, who helped her regain confidence through supportive and therapeutic workouts. “Marnie empowered me with these long, beautiful walks where we could talk and vent,” Panettiere explained.
Panettiere’s experience has given her a new perspective on life. She now focuses on prioritizing what truly matters and not letting minor issues disturb her. “When something so catastrophic happens, there’s not much that can really rock you,” she said.
Though she is making progress, Panettiere acknowledges that the pain of losing Jansen will never fully go away. “I will always be heartbroken. No matter how many years go by, I will never get over his loss,” she concluded.
Jansen Panettiere’s death was attributed to cardiomegaly and complications with his aortic valve. His passing has left a lasting void in Hayden’s life, but she continues to find strength in her journey of healing and self-discovery.
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