Hayden Panettiere has broken her silence a week after her brother Jansen died, in a family statement confirming his cause of death.
Jansen’s body was discovered inside his New York-area apartment on the evening of February 19, according to reports in the US. He was 28.
Now, in a statement issued to ABC News on Monday, Hayden and the Panettiere family have spoken about the tragedy for the first time and revealed that the actor - who was best known for roles in The Walking Dead and Ice Age - died as a result of heart failure.
The statement read: “Though it offers little solace, the Medical Examiner reported Jansen’s sudden passing was due to cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), coupled with aortic valve complications.”
It continued: “We sincerely appreciate the outpouring of love and support towards our family as we navigate this unthinkable loss, and ask that we be gifted our privacy during this time of mourning.
“We love you so much Jansen and you will be in our hearts forever.”
A source previously claimed that Nashville and Heroes star Hayden was “inconsolable” following the news of Jansen’s passing, saying she had considered her sibling who was five year’s her junior, her “best friend”.
“[Jansen] had been having a rough time lately with his career and he was dragged in so many directions,” a source told DailyMail.com.
They added: “Hayden is just inconsolable. He was her best friend and her only brother. He was such a nice guy but he lived on the edge.”
