Hayden Panettiere breaks his silence on the death of his younger brother Jansen

Hayden Panettiere talks about the death of his younger brother Jansen Panettiere.

In an interview with People magazine published Wednesday, the “Nashville” alum spoke about the loss of Jansen, who died last year at the age of 28 from an undiagnosed heart condition.

“He was my only brother and it was my job to protect him,” Panettiere told People. “When I lost him, it felt like I lost half of my soul.”

Her younger brother's death came at the start of a career comeback for Panettiere. She had ended an on-off relationship with her ex following a high-profile breakup and was sober after a years-long struggle with drug and alcohol addiction, including a stint in an inpatient rehab clinic in early 2020, according to People.

Panettiere also spent her first time in rehab while filming the fourth season of “Nashville” in 2015 and began a 12-step program and trauma therapy in 2021.

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Hayden Panettiere and family mourn“brilliant” Jansen Panettiere announces his cause of death

“I had to look at horrific paparazzi photos of myself coming out of Jansen's funeral, which was in a very private place, and it was shocking,” she told People. “My agoraphobia came to the surface, which I've struggled with in the past.” Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder in which one fears and avoids places or situations that might trigger panic and feelings of being trapped, helpless or ashamed, according to the Mayo Clinic.