American Actress Hayden Panettiere has talked about the devastating loss of his brother, janson panettiereWho died in February 2023 at the age of 28.
“He was my only brother and it was my job to protect him,” the actress said on Wednesday. People Cover Story. “When I lost her, I felt like I lost half of my soul.”
Watch the video above: Hayden Panettiere publicly paid tribute to her brother Jensen.
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The actress, best known for roles in Heroes and Nashville, said she will “forever be saddened” by her brother's death, but it has also given her a new outlook on life.
“When something big happens to you, you really learn to struggle and not get bothered by the little things,” he said.
“When something this horrible happens, nothing can shake you.”
Jensen, himself an actor and artist, was found unconscious in his New York City apartment.
The cause of death was later attributed to an enlarged heart, a condition that often goes undiagnosed and can lead to sudden cardiac events.
His family released a statement describing Jansen as a vibrant soul, saying: “Jansen’s heart could be seen in his eyes, his charm in his infectious smile, and his enjoyment of life in his dry wit.
“He will live forever in our hearts and in the hearts of everyone he encountered.”
Following Jensen's funeral, Hayden faced a challenging period, especially when he was photographed outside after the funeral.
The incident reignited her struggle with agoraphobia, a condition she had struggled with for years.
“I was just bloated,” she told People about this time. “I didn't have the confidence to leave the house, but I knew I had to move on.”
To deal with her feelings of loneliness, Hayden sought help from personal trainer Marnie Elton.
“Marnie empowers me”, he said, and described long walks together as “therapy sessions”.
“My body started to respond — not just from exercising, but from being free of the stress and high expectations I'd always placed on myself,” the Heroes actress said.
“There’s nothing like looking in the mirror and feeling good when you walk out the door.”
