Hayden Panettiere ‘s brother, Jansen , who passed away on February 19 at the age of 28, had an opioid habit and was treated for drug addiction a year before his unexpected death.
Sources Said He Was Abusing Prescription Painkillers
According to Daily Mail , citing the actor and graffiti artist’s neighbors in Nyack, New York, Jansen was hooked on prescription painkillers – possibly oxycodone – and had been “popping them like gumballs” for years.
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He Got Sober But Relapsed
The sources added that he had sought treatment last year to get sober, but relapsed in recent months.
He Was Found Unresponsive At His Home
On Tuesday, news broke that the Secrets of Jonathan Sperry actor was found “sitting upright in a chair unresponsive” at his home by three friends, who attempted to revive him but failed.
No Cause Of Death Yet
The cause of death has not been announced, pending investigation by Orangetown Police.
The Neighbors’ Speculations
However, Jansen’s neighbors are now speculating about a possible drug overdose, as they often saw him coming home at odd hours of the night “shabbily dressed” and looking “wasted.”
‘He Looked Destroyed’
One of them revealed, “He’d come out of a car at 4am wasted. He said he was just coming back from a shoot. He looked destroyed.”
He Suddenly Moved Out
The same neighbor, who described the Last Day of Summer actor as “regular, friendly,” and “unpretentious,” also said that he suddenly “moved out” and “disappeared” about a year and a half ago, and that his dad came to get his things.
Why He Left
The neighbor speculated that he left to get treatment.
“When he came back, he looked okay in the beginning. He looked like a different person. He came back straightened up. Then he went downhill from there,” the source added.
Good Memories
However, the neighbor also had good memories of Jansen.
‘Very Nice Guy’
“He was a very nice guy, very friendly, he was an artist and an actor. Very friendly and generous; he would always offer me help,” the neighbor recalled.
What Happened On The Day He Died
The Walking Dead actor was supposed to attend a meeting on Sunday. When he didn’t show up, his friends became worried and went to check on him.
They Tried To Help Him
The three friends – Benjamin Brown, Joe Fails, and Lars Arianti – performed CPR in an attempt to revive him, and called 911 and Jansen’s dad, Skip Panettiere, as well.
‘Dead On Arrival’
However, he was “pronounced dead on arrival by an EMT,” according to a report, with “no obvious signs of trauma observed.”
What His Father Told EMTs
Skip had also told EMTs that his son “sounded okay” when they talked on the phone the previous night.
His Mental State
Meanwhile, another insider has offered insight into Jansen’s mental state leading up to his death, saying he had been struggling with depression and anxiety – a fact that he also disclosed on his website.
Having A ‘Rough Time’ With His Career
The source revealed that the artist had been “having a rough time lately with his career” and complained about “being dragged in so many directions.”
How Is Hayden Holding Up?
His sister, Nashville actress Hayden, has not released a statement but is “inconsolable” over Jansen’s death, according to the insider.
‘Her Best Friend’
“He was her best friend and her only brother,” the source added. “He was such a nice guy but he lived on the edge.”
Statement From Orangetown Police
Meanwhile, Orangetown Police Sgt. Peter Maher told Daily Mail they’re still “awaiting an official determination of the cause of death from the Rockland County Medical Examiner.”
