Hayden Panettiere had reportedly left a drug rehabilitation center only weeks before her death from an overdose, according to a newly released report.
Panettiere was 36 when she died on August 16 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. Her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach, were at the property when she was pronounced dead.
The Greenville County Medical Examiner later determined that Panettiere accidentally died from the “toxic effects” of multiple drugs, including fentanyl. The report provides additional details about the actress’s final weeks.
Per the report obtained by Page Six, one of the two Hickerson brothers – both names are redacted in the report – Panettiere ‘was in a drug rehab facility in Malibu, California, up until a few weeks ago.’
One of the brothers told investigators that Panettiere had “a long history of drug, alcohol and nitrous oxide abuse.” He also said he had previously been required to administer Narcan to her.
The same brother told the deputy coroner that he “was unsure whether Hayden had consumed illicit drugs in the last two days because she was very good at hiding them.”
Hayden Panettiere reportedly left a drug rehabilitation facility only weeks before her fatal overdose, according to a new report – pictured in 2023
Her on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were at the scene when Panettiere was pronounced dead – pictured in 2018
Narcan is used to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. According to the report, Brian administered two doses of the medication after Panettiere overdosed.
Our News Outlet has contacted the Hickerson brothers, Panettiere’s representatives and the Greenville County Medical Examiner’s Office for comment.
The report also outlines disturbing details surrounding the actress’s death from a drug overdose.
Investigators said pressed pills containing fentanyl were found on a table near Panettiere’s body.
The report, first obtained by TMZ, said Panettiere was found face down on a sofa bed in a seated position, with her legs crossed. The brothers reportedly tried to wake her, but she had already turned “deep purple.”
A senior deputy coroner responded to the Greenville Airbnb where Panettiere had been staying with the Hickerson brothers, according to the report.
One of the brothers told investigators that he had seen Panettiere putting on makeup at approximately 10:30 a.m. on the day she died.
He said he then “went back to bed and was later awakened by a knock at the door.” Shortly afterward, the brothers found Panettiere unresponsive.
The Greenville County Medical Examiner’s report states that Panettiere “was in a drug rehab facility in Malibu, California, up until a few weeks ago” before her accidental death from the “toxic effects” of multiple drugs, including fentanyl – pictured in 2022
The investigator reported finding “blue pressed pills that tested positive for fentanyl,” as well as a straw on a table and white powder inside a sunglasses case in Panettiere’s suitcase.
Brian reportedly gave Panettiere two doses of Narcan before calling 911.
Investigators also interviewed Panettiere’s father, Skip. He said the actress had planned to celebrate her 37th birthday in Greenville on August 21 before traveling to Ukraine to visit her daughter.
A spokesperson for the Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed to Our News Outlet on Tuesday that Panettiere died from the “toxic effects” of multiple drugs, including fentanyl.
Just a few grains of powerful opioid fentanyl, which is 50 times stronger than heroin, can cause a fatal overdose.
A spokesman said: ‘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.
Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death has been officially confirmed, one month after the star died aged 36. Pictured in 2022 in LA
‘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 accident.
‘This case is administratively closed by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.’
Methocarbamol is a prescription muscle relaxant used to treat short-term muscle pain, while Quetiapine, commonly known by the brand name Seroquel, is an antipsychotic prescription medication used to treat conditions including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.
Alprazolam, known as Xanax, is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders and 4-ANPP is a chemical used as a main building block to make illegal fentanyl.
Last week, insiders told TMZ authorities believed Panettiere had fatally consumed a single oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl.
Panettiere had a ‘long time drug dealer’ in Los Angeles who she obtained narcotics from illegally, with oxycodone among them, sources told the outlet.
Authorities said that the day prior to her passing, Panettiere had taken multiple drugs she bought in Los Angeles before flying to South Carolina, where she was found dead the next day.
Panettiere’s rep said in a statement earlier this month: ‘As reported yesterday by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, Hayden’s death remains under investigation pending the completion of toxicology results, despite reports from some outlets stating otherwise.
‘Recent reports attributed to unnamed sources are unverified hearsay and have attributed to conflicting information that continues to circulate.’
The statement continued: ‘While we are all eager to find closure and better understand the circumstances surrounding her passing, we must remain patient and allow the investigative process to unfold.’
Panettiere is survived by a daughter, Kaya, now 11, who shares with ex-fiance Wladimir Klitschko – pictured 2011
In 2018, when her daughter Kaya was three, she signed full custody to her ex amid her battle with postpartum depression and addiction and Wladimir moved their daughter to his native Ukraine
The late Heroes star’s rep concluded in saying that ‘the answers we are all seeking will come.’
On the day she died, first responders arrived at a Greenville, South Carolina, condo where attempts were made to resuscitate the actress, before she was pronounced dead.
Hickerson’s lawyer Sloan Ellis said in a statement August 20 that ‘Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed.
‘As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.’
Panettiere began acting as a child, appearing in soap operas, then gained wider recognition for her role in the 2000 sports drama Remember the Titans with Denzel Washington, and as the voice of Dot in Pixar’s 1998 film A Bug’s Life.
Panettiere is remembered for her role as Claire Bennet on the hit NBC series Heroes
She played Juliette Barnes on the ABC show Nashville, releasing a number of her own songs
Panettiere later found fame playing cheerleader Claire Bennet in the superhero drama Heroes before starring as country singer Juliette Barnes for six seasons on Nashville.
She earned two Golden Globe nominations for best supporting actress on the show, while her singing produced 11 entries on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.
Panettiere’s film credits include 2006’s Bring It On: All or Nothing, the comedy-drama film Raising Helen, and appearances in Scream 4 and Scream VI as Kirby Reed.
She had an 11-year-old daughter called Kaya following a life-threatening birth, and later gave full custody of the child to her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
Join the discussion
Should Hollywood do more to support stars struggling with addiction before tragedy strikes?
Panettiere’s passing was announced by her father Skip Panettiere, who said in a statement: ‘It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden.
‘She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her onscreen. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.’
Authorities in Greenville, South Carolina, subsequently said that officials responded to an apartment in the area after receiving a report of an ‘unresponsive female’ via a possible ‘drug overdose,’ subsequently determined to be Panettiere.
