The family of Hayden and Jansen Panettiere has released their first statement since Jansen’s tragic passing on February 18.
As Mamas Uncut previously reported, Jansen was discovered in his New York home by a friend. Earlier reports revealed that Jansen’s friends grew concerned for him when he didn’t show up for a scheduled business meeting.
Jansen Panettiere’s Cause of Death Revealed as His Parents Make Their First Statement
According to TMZ, the friend who “raced to his home” to check on him discovered him “sitting upright in a chair, unresponsive, called 911 and started CPR.” Now, Jansen’s family is speaking out for the first time.
In the statement given to ABC News, Jansen’s mom, Lesley, and father, Skip, revealed his cause of death. “Though it offers little solace, the Medical Examiner reported Jansen’s sudden passing was due to cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), coupled with aortic valve complications.”
As the statement continued, they wrote, “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. 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.”
“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.”
It’s unclear if Jansen’s heart issues were something he dealt with his whole life. He was just 28 years old.
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After obtaining a copy of the police report, TMZ reveals that police spoke with Jansen and Hayden Panettiere’s father, Skip, who revealed he spoke with his son the night before his death and admitted Jansen sounded “okay.”
Jansen, like his sister, is also an actor. The brother-sister duo even worked on several projects together in their early years, including Tiger Cruise and Racing Stripes.
While Jansen seemed to have stepped away from the world of Hollywood several years ago, his social media reveals he was seemingly fond of abstract art and clothing design.
Just a month ago, Jansen took to Instagram to share a photo of himself and Hayden. The black and white photo depicted Hayden giving her younger brother a haircut.
“Not the first haircut she’s tried to give me,” Jansen captioned the photo. Hayden liked the post. It appears as though the siblings were close.
Our thoughts continue to be with the Panettiere family during this particularly tragic time.