Hayden Panettiere recently opened up about the profound impact of her younger brother Jansen's death, a loss that has sparked concern among fans about her appearance and has contributed to her struggles with agoraphobia. Speaking to PEOPLE, Panettiere, 35, shared the deeply emotional toll her brother’s passing has had on her life and how it has affected both her mental and physical health.
Jansen Panettiere passed away in 2023 at the age of 28, due to an enlarged heart and complications related to the organ. The tragedy has left Hayden grappling with an immense sense of loss. “He was my only sibling, and it was my job to protect him,” she told PEOPLE. “When I lost him, I felt like I lost half of my soul. I will always be heartbroken. No matter how many years go by, I will never get over his loss.”
The actress, best known for her roles in Nashville and Heroes, has been candid about how the emotional trauma has affected her well-being, including weight gain and a reemergence of agoraphobia, a condition she has struggled with before. According to the Mayo Clinic, agoraphobia involves "fearing and avoiding places or situations that might cause panic and feelings of being trapped, helpless, or embarrassed." Panettiere explained that the grief and stress from her brother’s death caused her body to react protectively, leading to physical changes she found difficult to manage. “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,” she said.
Adding to her grief was the invasive presence of paparazzi, which amplified her anxiety. Panettiere recalled how, even during one of her darkest moments—leaving her brother’s funeral—the media showed no restraint. "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. I didn’t recognize myself. My agoraphobia came out, which is something I’ve struggled with in the past," she said.
As a public figure who grew up in the entertainment industry, Panettiere is no stranger to the pressure of looking a certain way. “Having grown up in this industry, you’re terrified if you don’t look decent when you walk out the door,” she shared. Her vulnerable remarks come at a time when fans have been expressing concern over her appearance, with some saying she looked "unrecognizable" in recent public photos. Social media has been flooded with support from fans who sympathize with her experience of grief and loss. One user commented, “The truth is, you never get over that kind of loss. You just learn to live with the sadness.”
Despite these challenges, Panettiere is working on reclaiming her confidence and sense of purpose. With the help of her support team, she is getting back into her career and gearing up for the release of her latest film project, Amber Alert, an action thriller produced by Lionsgate. “It’s nice being back. I waited for a while to make sure I was making the right choice about what project I was going to do first,” Panettiere said of her return to acting. The film, which also stars Tyler James Williams, is set to be released on September 27.
This period marks a significant turning point for Panettiere, who has endured both personal and public struggles. After years of facing challenges, including her battle with substance abuse and now the loss of her brother, she remains resolute in finding her way forward. "Doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus," she said in a previous interview, showing her determination to continue healing from the physical and emotional impacts of her grief.