A cause of death has been confirmed for Nicholas Brendon, bringing clarity nearly two months after the star died at 54.
Brendon is remembered for his role as Xander Harris on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” a character that made him a beloved presence for fans and a lasting part of television history.
According to a May 5 report from the Putnam County Coroner’s Office, obtained by PEOPLE, Brendon died of atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. His death was ruled natural.
GettyThe report found that his right coronary artery was 90 percent blocked, a critical condition that led to his passing.
Acute pneumonia and a prior myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, were also listed as contributing factors, reflecting the health challenges he had been quietly facing.
Coroner Report Reveals No Signs of Foul Play
Page Six confirmed that Putnam County Coroner Todd Zeiner said investigators found no indication of suspicious activity at the scene.
A report published by Fox59 on March 27 confirmed that “They found no obvious signs of foul play and assisted me with cataloging the scene. Nothing seemed out of place or disturbed.”
Brendon was found at his home by a close friend, Theresa Fortier, who had been caring for him. She called 911 after discovering him unresponsive.
According to the report, Fortier told officials that the actor had been experiencing ongoing health issues in the days leading up to his death.
Getty“Theresa stated the decedent had been having a persistent cough and had been self-medicating with over-the-counter medications. He had been complaining about chest pain. She recommended a hospital, but he declined,” Zeiner wrote, as quoted by Page Six.
“He was a longtime smoker and was apprehensive about going due to his recent back surgery. She advised that he had a recent heart attack several years ago, but he declined any further treatment at that time.”
Autopsy Findings Reveal Serious Underlying Health Conditions
An autopsy later offered a clearer picture of the health challenges Brendon had been facing.
As per People, the report noted a markedly enlarged heart, along with severe narrowing of the right coronary artery and moderate narrowing in other major arteries. It also confirmed acute pneumonia and inflammation in the small bowel, which was likely linked to reduced blood flow caused by cardiogenic shock.
Medical experts explain that atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease occurs when plaque builds up inside the arteries, limiting blood flow and raising the risk of serious heart complications.
In reviewing videos Brendon recorded at home before his death, the coroner observed visible signs of decline. He was described as “markedly coughing” with a “raspy voice,” details that aligned with his worsening condition.
Nicholas Brendon Had Opened Up Severe Health Struggles
Brendon had been candid with fans about his health in recent years, offering a glimpse into the challenges he faced away from the spotlight.
In a 2023 Instagram post, he shared that he underwent multiple spinal surgeries following a fall and was also recovering from a prior cardiac incident.
“After two spinal surgeries and a heart attack, I’ve had multiple doctor appointments to juggle, and dealing with health insurance and pre-approvals feels nearly as emotionally exhausting and painful as dealing with my actual injuries,” the “Criminal Minds” actor added.
“You’d think when the doctor says someone needs an urgent MRI and possibly an additional emergency surgery that the insurance company would get back to the doctor with any kind of answer at all. Right???”
At the time, he said he was focused on rest and healing.
“So I somehow ended up ‘trapped’ in Idyllwild-Pine Cove (California) by about 3 feet of snow and nothing but time to swing on the back porch or paint in front of the fireplace.”
His family later shared that he “passed in his sleep of natural causes,” a statement that aligns with the coroner’s findings.
