Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum Nicholas Brendon’s cause of death has been revealed a little over six weeks after his shock passing at age 54.
The Putnam County Coroner ruled the Yesterday Is Almost Here actor’s death was natural since 90 percent of his right coronary artery was blocked due to atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, according to TMZ.
Contributing factors included acute pneumonia and a heart attack Brendon (born Schultz) had suffered in 2023 after being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.
The longtime smoker had also undergone several spinal surgeries in his lifetime due to cauda equina syndrome.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum Nicholas Brendon’s cause of death has been revealed a little over six weeks after his shock passing at age 54 (pictured in 2018)
Brendon’s female friend found him unresponsive on March 20 around 8am at his home in Greencastle, Indiana and immediately called police and let them know he’d been coughing and suffering chest pains but declined to go to the hospital.
‘We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes,’ his family said in a statement at the time.
‘Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years. In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art. Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans. He was passionate, sensitive and endlessly driven to create.
‘Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was. While it’s no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past, he was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing.’
They concluded: ‘Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination and heart. Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support.’
The twice-divorced star – who struggled with depression since childhood – had been arrested multiple times on charges like felony vandalism, public intoxication, grand theft and felony corporal injury to a spouse.
The Putnam County Coroner ruled the Yesterday Is Almost Here actor’s death was natural since 90 percent of his right coronary artery was blocked due to atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease (pictured in 2025)
Contributing factors included acute pneumonia and a heart attack Brendon (born Schultz) had suffered in 2023 after being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect
The longtime smoker’s female friend found him unresponsive on March 20 around 8am at his home in Greencastle, Indiana and immediately called police and let them know he’d been coughing and suffering chest pains but declined to go to the hospital (pictured in 2023)
The twice-divorced star – who struggled with depression since childhood – had been arrested multiple times on charges like felony vandalism, public intoxication, grand theft and felony corporal injury to a spouse
Audiences can catch Brendon’s final role as Mr. Gregory in Destiny Soria’s Minnesota-set horror comedy Christmas Slasher, which hits limited US theaters December 24
But the LA native is best remembered for his role as construction worker Xander Harris in Joss Whedon’s supernatural horror drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which aired for seven seasons spanning 1997-2003 on The WB/UPN (pictured in 1998)
Brendon had publicly sought help from Dr. Phil and Dr. Drew Pinsky as well as completing at least four rehab stints in his sobriety journey.
Audiences can catch the LA native’s final role as Mr. Gregory in Destiny Soria’s Minnesota-set horror comedy Christmas Slasher, which hits limited US theaters December 24.
But Brendon is best remembered for his role as construction worker Xander Harris in Joss Whedon’s supernatural horror drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which aired for seven seasons spanning 1997-2003 on The WB/UPN.
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