James Van Der Beek's heartbroken brother Jared speaks out after actor's death at 48

James Van Der Beek's brother Jared Van Der Beek has broken his silence amid the actor's death at age 48.

James died on February 11 after a two and a half year battle with colorectal cancer, the diagnosis he announced in November 2024.

On Friday Jared, 47, took to Instagram to pay tribute to his older brother by sharing a carousel of photos and a sentimental caption.

'There’s a special bond that exists between brothers and two days ago, that physical bond was broken,' he began the note.

'I now know why people call it heartbreak when you lose someone close to you. There is a feeling of devastation and pain that runs so deep in the heart, I didn’t know it would hurt so badly,' he added.

Jared referred to his brother as his 'person' and 'the one I went to for any and all things.'

Elsewhere in the caption, Jared shared about his big brother: 'I’ve looked up to him since I was born. He has never failed to be there for me whenever I needed him.'

He noted that he has found solace in 'seeing how he touched so many lives not because of something he did, but because of who he was.'

'As painful as this pain deep in the heart is, the healing has already begun with all the outpouring of love, prayers, and support,' Jared added.

'I truly thank all of you have taken the time to reach out, letting me know that you’re there. The community of people who were intimately involved in his passing were nothing short of amazing. Thank you to everyone known and unknown who helped his transition be as beautiful as possible.'

He then addressed his brother directly, writing, 'James, I already miss your physical being and your words of wisdom over the phone. 

'Yet, I also feel your presence so strongly and I know you will continue to be guiding me. Thank you for living your life with me. I love you.'

James, Jared, and their sister Juliana, who was included in photos shared in Jared's post, grew up in Connecticut.

Amid his illness, the Dawson's Creek star's father James William Van Der Beek Sr moved in with him, his wife Kimberly, and their six kids to help out.

The actor lost his mother Melinda Weber in July 2020. 

Realtor.com reported on Friday that James bought the 36-acre Texas ranch he had previously been renting for his family just one month before his death. 

He and his wife Kimberly relocated their family to Spicewood, Texas from Los Angeles in 2020 following his mother's death.

The couple, who wed in 2010, opted to lease the residence in order to try out the new area before committing to it.

Property records reviewed by Realtor.com show they purchased the sprawling home for $4.76 million in an off-market deal on January 9. The Van Der Beeks used an LLC managed by a California attorney, per the outlet.

The decision to move was influenced by their children, with the late father of six sharing in a 2021 interview with Austin Life that he wanted them to be closer to nature.

James and Kimberly shared daughters Olivia, 15, Annabel, 12, Emilia, nine, and Gwendolyn, seven, as well as sons Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah, four.