Hayden Panettiere is opening up about the sudden loss of her brother, Jansen, who died at age 28 last year.

In an interview with People for its cover this week, the Scream actress got candid about what she went through following his unexpected death in 2023 from an enlarged heart coupled with aortic valve complications.

“He was my only sibling, and it was my job to protect him,” she told the publication. “When I lost him, I felt like I lost half of my soul.”

Soon after, Panettiere decided she didn’t want to leave the house, especially after paparazzi followed her in the days after his death, going as far as to photograph her at his funeral.

“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,” she said. “My agoraphobia came out, which is something I’ve struggled with in the past.”

The Heroes actress explained that she experienced rapid weight gain and “ballooned out.” It diminished her self-esteem because she “didn’t feel confident” putting on clothes and getting out of the house, but she knew she had to do so or she’d “never stop looking and feeling this way.”

“It became a destructive hamster wheel of, do I feel good enough to go out?” she added.

Panettiere’s publicist helped her get out of the rut when she introduced her to personal trainer Marnie Alton, and everything began changing for the better. She and Alton had an immediate trust and connection, and the actress began training. They’d take long walks where they’d talk and essentially have a therapy session while working out.

The Nashville star noted that her body started reacting to the changes, not only by getting more fit but also by allowing her to release the stress and expectations she put on herself.

In learning to live with the loss of her little brother, the actress has gained a new perspective on life in general, pointing out it has helped her pick her fights and not let little things upset her. “Because once something so horrific, so deep, so catastrophic happens in your life, there’s not much that can really rock you,” she said.

Up next, Panettiere stars alongside Abbott Elementary standout Tyler James Williams in Amber Alert, which follows a rideshare trip that turns into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse as the duo go after a car fitting the description of, well, an Amber Alert. While she’s looking forward to the release of the film on demand and in theaters Sept. 27, it doesn’t mean she’s fully healed from her brother’s death.

“I will always be heartbroken about it. I will never be able to get over it,” she said. “No matter how many years go by, I will never get over his loss.”

Coping With Grief and Agoraphobia

Hayden Panettiere's grief over the loss of her brother manifested in a physical reaction, leading to a rapid weight gain and the emergence of her agoraphobia. She shared how the stress and cortisol in her body caused her to “balloon out,” making her feel uncomfortable and lacking confidence in her appearance. This further exacerbated her agoraphobia, which she had struggled with in the past.

She described the experience as a “destructive hamster wheel” of constantly questioning whether she felt good enough to leave the house. It took a lot of effort for her to get out of this rut, and she credits her publicist for introducing her to personal trainer Marnie Alton, who became a significant source of support.

Finding Healing Through Exercise and Therapy

Panettiere's journey to healing involved both physical exercise and emotional therapy. Alton's approach to training went beyond just getting fit; it included long walks where they could talk and release their emotions, creating a sense of therapy. This combination of physical activity and emotional processing proved to be effective for Panettiere.

Panettiere explained that her body started reacting positively to the changes, not only in terms of her physical appearance but also in allowing her to release the stress and high expectations she had placed on herself. This newfound sense of self-acceptance and confidence helped her overcome her agoraphobia, giving her the strength to face the world again.

A New Perspective on Life

The experience of losing her brother has given Panettiere a new perspective on life. She has learned to prioritize what truly matters and to not let minor issues upset her. She recognizes that life is precious and that time is a valuable commodity. She acknowledges that she will always grieve the loss of her brother, but she is committed to moving forward and finding ways to honor his memory.

A New Chapter in Life

Panettiere is embracing a new chapter in her life. She is excited about the release of her new movie, “Amber Alert,” and is looking forward to connecting with audiences. Although she acknowledges that the trauma of her brother’s death will continue to linger, she is focused on finding ways to cope with the grief and to build a brighter future for herself and her daughter.

While she’s looking forward to the release of the film on demand and in theaters Sept. 27, it doesn’t mean she’s fully healed from her brother’s death.

“I will always be heartbroken about it. I will never be able to get over it,” she said. “No matter how many years go by, I will never get over his loss.”