2023 was set to be a comeback year for actress Hayden Panettiere. After years of battling addiction and a turbulent relationship, she was finally clean, sober, and ready to reenter the spotlight. But just weeks before her big return in Scream 6, her life was turned upside down by an unimaginable tragedy: the sudden death of her younger brother, Jansen.
Photo Credit – Amanda Edwards/Getty
In an emotional and candid interview, the Heroes star shares how she’s navigating life after the loss, her journey through grief, and the painful process of healing.
A Heartbreaking Loss
Hayden Panettiere, now 35, recalls that February 2023 will forever mark a turning point in her life. Her beloved brother Jansen, only 28 years old, passed away unexpectedly due to an undiagnosed heart condition. “He was my only sibling, and I always felt it was my job to protect him,” Panettiere explains. “When I lost him, I felt like half of my soul was ripped away.”
The sudden shock was unbearable for Panettiere, who had been enjoying newfound stability after years of personal struggles. Losing Jansen just as she was getting her life back on track left her reeling. She admits, “It felt like my world came crashing down.”
Struggling to Cope
As Panettiere attempted to process the overwhelming grief, she found herself withdrawing from the outside world. Already dealing with agoraphobia, the actress found it nearly impossible to leave her home. The relentless pursuit of photographers, especially around the time of her brother’s funeral, made things worse. “Seeing the paparazzi capture such a private moment was horrifying. It triggered my agoraphobia in ways I hadn’t felt in years,” she reveals.
Panettiere’s grief didn’t just impact her emotionally—it also took a physical toll. Within days, she experienced rapid weight gain, something she attributes to the stress hormones surging through her body. “I just ballooned,” she says, candidly describing the strain that grief placed on her mental and physical well-being. “I didn’t even recognize myself anymore, and I had no desire to go out.”
The Road to Recovery
Despite the pain, Panettiere knew she had to find a way to move forward. But recovery was slow, and it wasn’t until she met personal trainer Marnie Alton that things began to change. Alton helped her start training again, beginning with gentle exercises and long walks where Panettiere felt free to open up.
“Marnie became more than just a trainer—she was a friend who listened when I needed to talk and helped me process my emotions,” says Panettiere. “Those walks were therapeutic, both mentally and physically.” As her fitness routine progressed, so did her emotional recovery. Exercise not only helped her body heal but also gave her an outlet to release stress and anxiety.
Panettiere recalls, “I started to feel like myself again, little by little. The endorphins from working out helped lift my spirits, and it gave me a sense of control during a time when I felt so helpless.” Over time, her confidence grew, and she began stepping back into the world.
Learning to Live with Loss
Though Panettiere is starting to find a new normal, she acknowledges that the pain of losing her brother will never truly go away. “I’ll always be heartbroken,” she says, her voice heavy with emotion. “There’s no way to fill the void Jansen left behind, and no amount of time will ever make it hurt less.”
However, her brother’s passing has given her a new perspective on life. “When something that devastating happens, you learn not to sweat the small stuff,” Panettiere reflects. “Nothing can compare to the loss I’ve experienced, and it’s made me appreciate every moment in a deeper way.”
As she continues to heal, Panettiere is grateful for the chance to return to acting and is looking forward to the release of her new film Amber Alert this September. But for now, her focus remains on taking each day as it comes, cherishing the memories of her brother, and continuing her journey toward emotional recovery.
“I’m proud of the progress I’ve made, but I know this pain will always be a part of me,” she says. “It’s something I’ll carry with me forever.”
Moving Forward, One Step at a Time
Despite the profound grief, Panettiere is determined to keep moving forward. She emphasizes that recovery is not linear and that it’s okay to struggle along the way. “Some days are harder than others, but I’ve learned to take things one step at a time. It’s all I can do.”
While Jansen’s absence will forever be felt, Panettiere finds comfort in knowing he is always with her in spirit. “I know he’s watching over me,” she says with a tearful smile. “And that gives me strength to keep going.”
Final Thoughts
Hayden Panettiere’s story of resilience in the face of such a heartbreaking loss is a reminder that healing is a journey, not a destination. Though her world was shattered, her ability to find light in the darkest of times is an inspiration. As she moves forward, she’s doing so with the memory of her brother firmly in her heart.
For Panettiere, life after loss is about survival, but it’s also about learning to live fully again—even when heartbreak remains.