After some time away from the entertainment industry, Hayden Panettiere is making her rounds as she promotes her latest film, Scream VI – which will be released on March 10. On Monday, she made an appearance on Good Morning America, where she did an interview with co-host Michael Strahan.
While most of the interview was directed at her comeback and the upcoming film, there was a moment where Strahan extended his condolences for the loss of Jansen Panettiere – Hayden’s brother who tragically passed away on February 19. He was just 28 years old and had a bright future ahead of him.
“Before we go, we want to just tell you that we’re sorry to hear about the passing of your brother, Jansen, and that we send our love and condolences,” Strahan said. She immediately got emotional, placing her hand over her heart before pointing to her right. “He’s right here with me,” the 33-year-old actress said.
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Jansen Panettiere passed away from ‘cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), coupled with aortic valve complications’ – according to a statement released by the family. The 28-year-old was in the midst of working on four different films at the time of his death and had a 20-year career in the industry.
“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 family said – remembering him for his ‘charisma, warmth, compassion for others, and his creative spirit,’ which will live on for the rest of time.
His father, Alan Panettiere, had spoken to his son – and even told police that Jansen sounded ‘okay’ at the time – just hours before he was found unresponsive in a chair by a friend. After performing CPR on Jansen, his friend called for an ambulance, who later pronounced him dead not long after their arrival.
“We sincerely appreciate the outpouring of love and support towards our family as we navigate this unthinkable loss, and ask that we be gifted our privacy during this time of mourning. We love you so much Jansen and you will be in our hearts forever,” the family added in their statement on February 27.
Hayden Panettiere Wears Her Brother’s Jacket at Service
While Jansen Panettiere was known for his acting career, he was also a very talented artist who shared and sold his masterful paintings – and clothing – through his artist page, RANE (his middle name). On February 2, he shared a photo of a jacket he designed – just two weeks before he passed away.
That jacket was the same jacket Hayden Panettiere wore on Wednesday (March 8) at his funeral service – where family and friends gathered at the Palisades Presbyterian Church in Nyack, New York. She arrived with a smile on her face, but her eyes clearly glistened from the tears she had shed for him.
Jansen took his work as an artist seriously and was aware of all the good he could do with it – vowing to give 3% of all purchases to the #WeAreAllUkrainians non-profit organization, which was created by Wladimir Klitschko (the former husband of Hayden Panettiere and father of Jansen’s nephew).
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The last photo on Jansen’s Instagram page was of a recent painting he created alongside his girlfriend, Catherine Michie – who is experiencing a world of pain following his loss. Our hearts, prayers, and condolences go out to Hayden Panettiere, her family, and all of Jansen’s friends who loved him dearly.
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