The family of actor and artist Jansen Panettiere has stated that a cardiac issue caused his passing.
On February 19, the body of Hayden Panettiere’s brother, Jansen Panettiere, was discovered in his New York residence.
“Though it offers little solace, the Medical Examiner reported Jansen’s sudden passing was due to cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), coupled with aortic valve complications,” Panettiere’s family announced in a statement to ABC News, the outlet reported Monday.
Jansen Panettiere's family, including his sister Hayden, is remembering the late actor a week after he died suddenly at just 28 years old. https://t.co/psAn5J9rCN
— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2023
“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 family said, adding, “We love you so much Jansen and you will be in our hearts forever.”
“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,” the family said, according to ABC News.
“We sincerely appreciate the outpouring of love and support towards our family as we navigate this unthinkable loss.”
According to USA Today, Panettiere began his acting career in 2002 with a voice role in the animated series “Midori’s Nintendoland Bakery.” Panettiere was five years younger than his sister.
He worked on projects that included Disney Channel’s “Even Stevens,” “Blue’s Clues,” “Robots,” “Ice Age: The Meltdown” and “The X’s,” according to TMZ.
His final acting credits were appearances in the stoner comedy “How High 2” and season nine of “The Walking Dead,” according to EW.
Panettiere was discovered dead by a buddy with whom he was scheduled to meet that day.
According to a police report acquired by Fox News, when he was discovered, he was unconscious and sat straight in a chair.
At around 5 p.m., officers from the Orangetown Police Department arrived to Panettiere’s residence.
Benjamin Brown, a friend of Panettiere, was doing CPR on him in the living room when they arrived.
Jansen Panettiere, Actor in ‘The Walking Dead,’ ‘Ice Age: The Meltdown,’ Dies at 28 https://t.co/IIpOWiOeJm
— Variety (@Variety) February 21, 2023
At 5:11 p.m., an EMT pronounced Panettiere dead, according to Fox News.
Alan Panettiere, the father of Hayden Panettiere, told police that he spoke with his son the night before and that he “sounded OK,” according to the report.
In a 2019 Medium article, Panettiere talked about his issues with depression and anxiety.
“I’m a painter now. I’ve painted for most of my life but only as of recent have I self-identified with the practice. It’s my therapy,” he wrote.