The family of actor Jansen Panettiere is speaking out a week after his sudden death.
In a statement released Monday to “Good Morning America” and other outlets, Panettiere’s loved ones — including sister and fellow actor Hayden Panettiere — confirmed the 28-year-old died of “cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), along with aortic valve complications. . ”, citing a coroner’s report.
“Jansen’s heart showed in his eyes and his charm in his bright and engaging smile; his soul in his masterful and revelatory paintings and the joy of life in his dry wit,” read the statement, which was attributed to Hayden, as well as Panettiere’s father, Skip, and mother, Lesley Vogel. “His charisma, warmth, compassion for others and creative spirit will live forever in our hearts and in the hearts of all he met.”
After thanking fans for their “outpouring of love and support”, the family asked for privacy as they cried, before adding: “We love you so much Jansen and you will be in our hearts forever.”
Jeffrey Mayer via Getty Images
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, cardiomegaly can be caused by heart damage and other types of heart disease. Over time, an enlarged heart may not pump blood efficiently, leading to congestive heart failure.
Panettiere, who was living in New York at the time of her death, made her acting debut in a 2002 episode of “Even Stevens” and two years later appeared alongside her sister in the Disney Channel movie “Tiger Cruise.” Other credits include the 2010 film “The Perfect Game” and a 2019 episode of “The Walking Dead,” as well as a variety of voiceover work.
He was also a visual artist and featured a selection of abstract paintings on his Instagram.
“I paint my problems. It gives me a sense of ultimate purpose,” Panettiere wrote on a Medium blog in 2019. “In a world mesmerized by comparison-fueled vanity, art is my escape.”
