Jansen Panettiere died at 28 from a heart complication. Here’s what was shared about his career, the medical cause, and Hayden Panettiere’s reflections.

Hayden Panettiere has never had the chance to fully grieve in private after the sudden death of her younger brother. Jansen Panettiere. became public.. When news broke in February 2023. the Scream franchise actress found herself repeatedly asked about Jansen—who. like her. worked in entertainment—and about the loss itself.. Jansen was 28, and the report surrounding his passing emphasized that the cause was a health complication.

After the announcement. the Panettiere family issued a statement to TODAY. expressing gratitude for the public’s support as they “navigate this unthinkable loss.” In that message. they described Jansen in deeply personal terms. pointing to his “charm” and “brilliant. engaging smile. ” as well as the way his “soul” appeared through his “masterful and revealing paintings.” The family also highlighted his “charisma” and “warmth. ” and said his creative spirit would stay with them and with everyone who had the chance to know him.

They continued with an emotional farewell—saying they loved him “so much” and that he would remain in their hearts forever—while also conveying the kind of presence Jansen had in their lives.. That grief. however. didn’t fade from the public eye. largely because Jansen was also a familiar name to audiences who follow television and film.

Nearly three years later. Hayden tearfully revisited the moment she learned her brother had died during an interview with Jay Shetty.. In her recollection, she described Jansen as her “best friend,” underscoring how close their bond was.. She also remembered the words she said in shock when she learned the news. recalling that she was “screaming” that she didn’t want to live in a world where he didn’t exist.

For viewers who knew Hayden through her screen roles. her statements offered a clearer picture of what the loss meant on a personal level. not just as a headline.. It also helped explain why questions about Jansen continued to follow her—because the story touched both her private life and the public’s interest in a beloved entertainment family.

Jansen Panettiere’s career included acting work, following a path that ran alongside Hayden’s. Like his sister, he appeared in television and films, beginning his film work in the early 2000s. He turned up in episodes of shows including The Walking Dead, and he also did voiceover roles.

Among Jansen’s film credits, the report specifically points to The Forger and The Martial Arts Kid. Before his death, he was involved in multiple projects, including American Game, Horse, and Justice Angel, which were described as expected to be released after his passing.

While the public response focused heavily on the suddenness of his death. the information shared about his health prior to that moment was limited.. Before Jansen died, no health issues or medical setbacks were publicly disclosed.. Then came the announcement that his death resulted from a heart complication.

According to the Panettiere family’s statement, Jansen died from cardiomegaly, also described as an enlarged heart.. The statement also noted that the medical examiner reported his sudden passing was due not only to cardiomegaly. but also to aortic valve complications—an important detail because it frames the death as connected to multiple cardiovascular issues.

Cardiomegaly strains the heart, according to medical information referenced in the report.. People living with the condition have a larger heart than what is considered normal. and the condition can be temporary or permanent.. Because it can reduce how efficiently the heart pumps blood. it may contribute to further complications. including heart failure or stroke.

The report also points out that a common cause of an enlarged heart is coronary heart disease. though it was not stated whether Jansen had been diagnosed with it.. It lists other potential causes of cardiomegaly as well. including arrhythmia. cardiomyopathy. hypertensive heart disease. and others—emphasizing that the condition can have multiple underlying drivers.

For diagnosis. the report notes that cardiomegaly can be identified through tests such as a chest X-ray. a cardiac CT scan. or an electrocardiogram (EKG).. That medical framing matters because it highlights that the heart-related condition described in the family’s statement is one that clinicians can evaluate using a range of examinations.

Even as the public process of learning what happened moved forward. the emotional weight stayed centered on the family’s experience.. The combination of an entertainment career. a sudden passing at 28. and Hayden’s later reflections during the Jay Shetty interview helped keep Jansen’s story in the spotlight—while also showing how deeply the loss continues to shape the people who loved him.

Hayden Panettiere Jansen Panettiere Scream franchise brother death cardiomegaly aortic valve complications entertainment news