Hayden Panettiere Attends Brother Jansen's Funeral, Honors Him With Special Gesture
By Fiyin Olowokandi on March 10, 2023 at 1:30 PM EST
Hayden Panettiere bid her brother Jansen Panettiere a final goodbye in the most touching way ever.
The blonde bombshell has been stealing our hearts since her career kicked off on ABC's soap opera series "One Life to Live." Following her on-screen debut, the actress has proven her worth in the entertainment industry.
Jansen, the Young Artist Award winner's brother, followed in his older sister's footsteps. Although he made more waves as an artist than an actor, the 28-year-old's spotlight was snuffed out too soon with his unfortunate demise.
Weeks after the painter took his last breath on February 19, his lookalike sibling and loved ones honored his passing with an emotional funeral service. Keep reading to learn more about Hayden's tribute to her late brother.
Hayden Panettiere Rocked Her Brother's Custom-Made Jacket To His Funeral
Per reports, the "Heroes" star made a moving gesture as her final tribute to her late brother. The memorial service for the late entertainer took place at the Palisades Presbyterian Church in New York.
The venue seemed to be the appropriate resting place for the artist as he arrived in the same neighborhood on September 25, 1994. As friends and loved ones gathered to mourn the passing of a great soul, Hayden added a splash of color to the somber black theme.
The blonde beauty rocked a colorful jacket designed by Jansen. The fabric featured vibrant patterns painted onto the dark material, making it an artistic masterpiece. The 33-year-old completed the look with a black shirt, trousers, and sneakers.
Fans of the deceased would easily recognize the custom-made jacket as the "Tiger Cruise" actor shared a picture of the outfit on Instagram. The upload came on February 2, a few weeks before the designer's tragic demise.
According to the police report retrieved by the news outlet, Jansen was found dead inside his home in Nyack. The authorities were alerted about the situation after a concerned friend could not reach the 28-year-old, who failed to attend a business meeting.
Following her brother's death, the grief-stricken sister avoided discussing the distressing matter. Her silence was understandable given the situation. However, Hayden fought back tears during her first interview after the entertainer's demise.
The emotional incident occurred while the New Yorker promoted her latest movie, "Scream VI," on the "Good Morning America" show. When the host, Michael Strahan, offered his condolences and support, he unleashed the bottled feelings in the actress's heart.
"Thank you," the mother-of-one wept while touching her heart. "He's right here with me," she added as her voice cracked from the somber mood. The TV personality then made her first red-carpet appearance since Jansen's passing afterward at the "Scream VI" premiere.
For the event, the "Nashville" actress donned an all-black ensemble featuring a mini dress, pantyhose, a floor-length trench coat, and a scarf around her neck. She accessorized with diamond earrings, multiple gold rings, and matching black heels.
Needless to say, the 33-year-old stole the spotlight at the AMC Lincoln Square Theater event, flaunting model-worthy poses on the red carpet. "Scream VI" marked the return of Hayden's character after her debut in "Scream IV."
Jansen Panettiere's Family Announced His Cause Of Death Via A Poignant Statement
Days after Jansen's sudden passing, The Blast shared that the deceased's relatives revealed the cause of the actor's death. The mystery behind the 28-year-old's shocking demise was answered in a heartfelt statement.
Before diving into the matter, the joint message from the Panettiere family — mother Lesley Vogel, father Alan Lee “Skip” Panettiere, and sister Hayden — began with praises about the media personality's best qualities.
"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 loved ones," the deceased's loved ones gushed in their statement.
The family continued by describing their love for the "Racing Stripes" actor, noting that his "charisma, warmth, and creative spirit" would forever be embedded in their hearts. Regarding his tragic death, the family confirmed that Jansen died from an "enlarged heart."
"Though it offers little solace, the Medical Examiner reported Jansen’s sudden passing was due to cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), coupled with aortic valve complications," the statement revealed.
