Current:Home > MyHayden Panettiere breaks silence on younger brother's death: 'I lost half my soul'-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Hayden Panettiere breaks silence on younger brother's death: 'I lost half my soul'
View Date:2024-12-25 10:38:15
Hayden Panettiere is opening up about younger brother Jansen Panettiere's death.
In a People magazine interview published Wednesday, the "Nashville" alum opened up about losing Jansen, who died of an undiagnosed heart condition last year at 28.
"He was my only sibling, and it was my job to protect him," Panettiere told People. "When I lost him, I felt like I lost half of my soul."
Her younger brother's death came during the start of a career comeback for Panettiere. She was out of an on-again, off-again relationship with her ex after a highly publicized breakup, and sober after a yearslong struggle with drugs and alcohol addiction, including time spent time at an in-patient rehab facility in early 2020, according to People.
Panettiere also spent time during her first time in rehab while filming the fourth season of "Nashville" in 2015, and in 2021, she entered a 12-step program and began trauma therapy.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Hayden Panettiere and family mourn'brilliant' Jansen Panettiere, reveal his cause of 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," she told People. "My agoraphobia came out, which is something I've struggled with in the past." Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder that involves fearing and avoiding places or situations that might cause panic and feelings of being trapped, helpless or embarrassed, according to Mayo Clinic.
Panettiere gained weight and "just ballooned out," she told People, saying she "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."
She called the time period "a destructive hamster wheel of, 'do I feel good enough to go out?'" but the star recovered on long walks with personal trainer Marnie Alton, to whom she was introduced by her publicist. She told People that Alton "empowered" her during "these long, beautiful walks where we could vent and it would be this therapy session."
Panettiere told People she has a new outlook on life after losing her brother.
"When something that massive has happened to you, you really learn to pick your fights and just not let the little things upset you," she said in the People interview. "Because once something so horrific, so deep, so catastrophic happens in your life, there's not much that can really rock you."
She continued: "I will always be heartbroken about it. I will never be able to get over it. No matter how many years go by, I will never get over his loss."
Jansen Panettiere death was 'sudden,' family said
At the time of Jansen's death, Panettiere's parents Lesley Vogul and Skip Panettiere said in a statement that his "sudden passing was due to cardiomegaly (enlarged heart,) coupled with aortic valve complications."
"It is with great sorrow we share the tremendous, untimely loss of our beautiful Jansen," the family said.
Cardiomegaly has several causes, with high blood pressure among the most common, per Mayo Clinic. Some people experience no signs or symptoms, while others may experience shortness of breath, an irregular heart rhythm or swelling of the belly or legs.
veryGood! (69)
Related
- Queen Elizabeth II's Final 5-Word Diary Entry Revealed
- Wyoming standoff ends over 24 hours later with authorities killing suspect in officer’s death
- Kansas City shooting victim Lisa Lopez-Galvan remembered as advocate for Tejano music community
- Bow Down to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Valentine's Day Date at Invictus Games Event
- Mike Tyson is expected to honor late daughter during Jake Paul fight. Here's how.
- Reduce, reuse, redirect outrage: How plastic makers used recycling as a fig leaf
- Co-inventor of Pop-Tarts, William Post, passes away at 96
- NYC man caught at border with Burmese pythons in his pants is sentenced, fined
- NASCAR Cup Series Championship race 2024: Start time, TV, live stream, odds, lineup
- Officials plan to prevent non-flying public from accessing the Atlanta airport with new rules
Ranking
- Nevada trial set for ‘Dances with Wolves’ actor in newly-revived sex abuse case
- UGG Boots Are on Sale for 53% Off- Platform, Ultra Mini, & More Throughout Presidents’ Day Weekend
- Pregnant woman found dead in Indiana in 1992 identified through forensic genealogy
- Cleveland-Cliffs to shutter West Virginia tin plant and lay off 900 after tariff ruling
- 'Unfortunate error': 'Wicked' dolls with porn site on packaging pulled from Target, Amazon
- 'Jeopardy' contestant answers Beyoncé for '50 greatest rappers of all time' category
- What's the best restaurant near you? Check out USA TODAY's 2024 Restaurants of the Year.
- Steph Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu to face off in 3-point contest during NBA All-Star weekend
Recommendation
-
Judge extends the time to indict the driver accused of killing Johnny Gaudreau and his brother
-
New Hampshire Senate rejects enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution
-
Play H-O-R-S-E against Iowa's Caitlin Clark? You better check these shot charts first
-
A fin whale decomposing on an Oregon beach creates a sad but ‘super educational’ spectacle
-
She's a trans actress and 'a warrior.' Now, this 'Emilia Pérez' star could make history.
-
Chiefs lineman Trey Smith shares WWE title belt with frightened boy after parade shooting
-
Post-5 pm sunsets popping up around US as daylight saving time nears: Here's what to know
-
Vanessa Hudgens spills on working out, winding down and waking up (including this must-have)