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Hayden Panettiere and her family are mourning the sudden death of her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, who died Feb. 19 at age 28.
“It is with great sorrow we share the tremendous, untimely loss of our beautiful Jansen,» Hayden Panettiere and the sibling’s parents Lesley Vogul and Skip Panettiere said in a statement Monday, shared with USA TODAY by the actress’ rep, Kasey Kitchen.
The family revealed the young actor’s «sudden passing was due to cardiomegaly (enlarged heart,) coupled with aortic valve complications.»
Cardiomegaly has several causes, with high blood pressure among the most common, per Mayo Clinic. Some people experience no signs or symptoms, while others may experience shortness of breath, an irregular heart rhythm or swelling of the belly or legs.
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«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 family continued.
