Hayden Panettiere was released from rehab WEEKS before her drug death at 36 and had overdosed in past, new report says

Hayden Panettiere was released from a drug rehabilitation facility just weeks before her death from an overdose, per a new report.

Panettiere died aged 36 on August 16 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, with her on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach, both at the scene when Panettiere was pronounced dead.

After it was confirmed that Panettiere accidentally died from the 'toxic effects' of multiple drugs – including fentanyl – a report from The Greenville County Medical Examiner has shed further light on her 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 also claimed Panettiere had 'a long history of drug, alcohol and nitrous oxide abuse' and that he 'has had to administer Narcan to the decedent before.'

The same brother told the deputy coroner he 'was unsure whether Hayden had consumed illicit drugs in the last two days because she was very good at hiding them.'

Narcan is a medicine that quickly reverses an opioid overdose and the report reveals two doses of the medicine were administered to the star by Brian after her overdose.

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for the Hickerson brothers, Panettiere and The Greenville County Medical Examiner for further comment.

This comes as harrowing new details about her death from a drug overdose have been laid bare in the report.

The Greenville County Medical Examiner detailed how pressed pills laced with fentanyl were found on a table near her body.

Per the report, first obtained by TMZ, Panettiere was discovered face down in a sitting position on a sofa bed with her legs crossed. She had turned 'deep purple' as the brothers tried and failed to wake her up.

The report notes a senior deputy coroner responded to an Airbnb in Greenville where the actress was staying with the brothers.

One of the brothers said he saw Panettiere applying make-up at 10.30am on the day of her death. 

The brother said he then 'went back to bed and was later awakened by a knock at the door.' Moments later, the brothers discovered an unresponsive Panettiere. 

Per the report, the investigator found 'blue pressed pills that tested positive for fentanyl, along with a straw on a table, and white powder in a sunglasses case inside her suitcase.'

Two doses of Narcan were administered to the star by Brian, who then called 911, according to the report.

Panettiere's father Skip was also interviewed, who told investigators the actress had planned to celebrate her 37th birthday on August 21 in Greenville before flying to Ukraine to see her daughter.

A spokesman for the Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed to The Daily Mail 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.

'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.'

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 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.

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.