Hayden Panettiere opens up about grief after brother’s sudden death: ‘I’ll always be heartbroken’

Actress Hayden Panettiere has shared her emotional journey of healing following the sudden death of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who passed away from an undiagnosed heart condition in February 2023. In an interview with PEOPLE, Panettiere described the devastating impact of losing her only sibling just three weeks before the premiere of Scream 6. "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," she said​

Following Jansen’s death, Panettiere experienced agoraphobia, worsened by paparazzi intrusion. She spoke of the challenges she faced in regaining her confidence after experiencing rapid weight gain due to stress and grief. “I didn’t feel confident to put on clothes and get out of the house, but I also knew I needed to keep moving or I’d never stop feeling this way,” she explained​.

Her healing process began when she met personal trainer Marnie Alton, with whom she developed a deep connection. Their regular walks became therapeutic, helping Panettiere both physically and emotionally. “Marnie empowered me,” she shared, adding that physical activity helped her regain self-esteem.

Despite her ongoing grief, Panettiere expressed a new perspective, saying, "Once something so catastrophic happens in your life, there’s not much that can really rock you." While looking forward to her new film Amber Alert, she acknowledged that the loss of her brother is something she will never fully recover from.