Hayden Panettiere was released from rehab just weeks before her tragic death at the age of 36, a report has claimed.
The actress, known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, died aged 36 on August 16 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed by the coroner’s office that the 36-year-old died from the “toxic effects” of multiple drugs, including fentanyl.
Her death had initially been reported as a suspected drug overdose.
As per a detailed report from The Greenville County Medical Examiner, obtained by Page Six, Panettiere had been staying in a drug rehab facility just weeks before her death.
The outlet said that the report stated that her on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson or his brother Zach (the name was redacted) had claimed that the actor “was in a drug rehab facility in Malibu, California, up until a few weeks ago”.
One of the brothers also claimed that Panettiere had “a long history of drug, alcohol and nitrous oxide abuse” and that he “has had to administer Narcan to the decedent before”.
Narcan is a medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose.
The rehab claim was corroborated by Skip Panettiere in the report, who confirmed that his daughter “had recently been released [from] rehab” in “Malibu.” He said she spent “two or three weeks” at the treatment facility.
He added that his daughter “struggled with addiction since her early 20s and [had] been in multiple rehab facilities since that time”.
The Standard has contacted representatives of the Hickerson brothers, Panettiere and The Greenville County Medical Examiner for comment.
The claims come after a spokesperson for the Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed the cause of her death.
“An autopsy was completed by a Board Certified Forensic Pathologist.
“At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death.
“The cause of death has been ruled as toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol, and Quetiapine.
“The manner of death has been ruled an accident.
“This case is administratively closed by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.”
The actress had previously spoken publicly about her struggles with addiction, revealing that she had battled substance abuse throughout her 20s.
She is survived by her daughter Kaya, 11, whom she shared with her ex Wladimir Klitschko.
