Hayden Panettiere Reflects On 'Pain' Of Brother Jansen's Sudden Death

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Hayden Panettiere is reflecting on the painful loss of her younger brother Jansen Panettiere two years after his death.

On Wednesday (February 19), the Nashville actress shared an emotional tribute to her late brother on Instagram marking the second anniversary of his unexpected passing, penning a heartfelt message to her "little brother" alongside a black and white photo of the pair on a boat. Jansen passed away in February 2023 from aortic valve complications and an undiagnosed enlarged heart when he was just 28 years old, per People.

"2 years ago today, I lost my little brother. This amazing human being touched the lives of so many. Especially mine," she wrote in the caption. "The pain isn't quantifiable. I pray you're in a beautiful place J. That you're at peace and that when all is said and done... I'll see you again. Rest easy brother. You are so missed and beyond loved. 💜"

Hayden previously opened up to the outlet about how her brother's death not just emotionally devastated her and left her "heartbroken" but it also had an impact on her physical health, causing her body to swell and leading to a 40-pound weight gain.

"I just ballooned out," she said in September 2024. "It didn't matter what I did, what I ate. I know stress and cortisol running through your body can do that. Now I think my body was protecting itself, shielding itself from the world."

Their family, including parents Lesley Vogel and Skip Panettiere, issued a statement to ABC News days after Jansen's passing remembering him for his "compassion" and "warmth."

"Jansen's heart could be seen in his eyes, and his charm in his brilliant, engaging smile; his soul in his masterful and revealing paintings, and the joy of life in his dry wit," the said. "His charisma, warmth, compassion for others, and his creative spirit will live forever in our hearts and in the hearts of all whom he encountered."


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