Hayden Panettiere's brother Jansen was found ‘sitting upright in a chair unresponsive’ as friends tried to perform CPR
ALBANY, NEW YORK: Jansen Panettiere, the brother of actress Hayden Panettiere, has reportedly died at the age of 28. The cause of his death is currently unknown. An investigation is underway into the death of Jansen, 28, who was a voice-over actor. Notably, he played a role in 'Ice Age: The Meltdown' and 'The Walking Dead'. Tragic details have now revealed that Jansen's friends found him unresponsive in a chair when they went to check on him.
The 'Nashville' actress's brother was reportedly suffering from anxiety and depression. Hayden is devastated following Jansen's death, an insider told Daily Mail. "He had been having a rough time lately with his career and he was dragged in so many directions," the source said, adding, "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."
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Jansen's friends tried to revive him with CPR
Three of Jansen's friends — identified as Benjamin Brown, Joe Fails, and Lars Arianti — grew "concerned" when the star did not show up to a prearranged meeting. They went to his home in Nyack to check on him, and found Jansen "sitting upright in a chair unresponsive". The friends tried to revive him with CPR.
While Brown performed CPR, Fails called 911. Another got in touch with Jansen and Hayden's father, Alan 'Skip' Panettiere. Skip told EMTs he has spoken to Jansen "via telephone the night before" and that he has "sounded okay," according to the Daily Mail.
EMTs arrived at Jansen's home and found him "laying on his back on the living room floor, not breathing, and cold to the touch with lividity." He was pronounced dead on arrival by a Nyack EMT. "Deceased was pronounced dead on arrival by an EMT," a report said. "There were no obvious signs of trauma observed." Orangetown Police Sgt. Peter Maher said, "As part of this ongoing investigation we are awaiting an official determination of the cause of death from the Rockland County Medical Examiner."
'He was ridden with terrible anxiety and depression'
Jansen's website says of the star," After spending time in LA as an adult he was ridden with terrible anxiety and depression; this period in his life eventually produced a spiritual clarity that drove him to start painting his problems, one by one."
Meanwhile, an insider told Entertainment Tonight, "Jansen suffered from mental health issues and art was his therapy and escape. In the past, Jansen was open to family and friends about his struggles. Hayden was always there for him and constantly tried to help Jansen when she could."