{"id":776210,"date":"2026-05-06T01:54:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T01:54:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/776210\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T01:54:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T01:54:14","slug":"buffy-star-nicholas-brendons-cause-of-death-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/776210\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Buffy’ star Nicholas Brendon’s cause of death revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Indiana officials have disclosed the official cause of death for \u201cBuffy the Vampire Slayer\u201d star Nicholas Brendon, who died in March. <\/p>\n

The Putnam County Coroner confirmed in a report shared with The Times on Tuesday that the actor, best known for portraying the loyal and wisecracking Xander Harris, died of atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Acute pneumonia and a previous myocardial infarction \u2014 a heart attack \u2014 were listed as contributing factors in his death. <\/p>\n

Brendon died March 20, his f<\/a>amily announced<\/a> in a statement on his social media pages. The family said he died of natural causes, which was also confirmed by the coroner\u2019s report. The report also noted that Brendon had \u201c90% blockage\u201d in his right coronary artery. He was 54. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create,\u201d his family said on Instagram<\/a> in March. \u201cThose who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was.\u201d <\/p>\n

Prior to his death, Brendon experienced multiple health issues. He was hospitalized in 2022 <\/a>after he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and after suffering a cardiac incident. The \u201cCriminal Minds\u201d star also underwent multiple spinal surgeries to manage cauda equina syndrome, a rare condition in which nerve bundle in the lumbar or sacral spine are compressed or not functioning properly. His serious spinal injury was triggered by a fall in 2021 that required emergency surgery to prevent paralysis, his manager Theresa Fortier said in a statement at the time.<\/p>\n

The coroner\u2019s report described the scene of Brendon\u2019s death, noting that because of the actor\u2019s \u201cdeclining health\u201d Fortier had spent more time with him and notified authorities of his passing. The report confirmed there were no \u201cobvious signs\u201d of foul play and that \u201cnothing seemed out of place or disturbed\u201d in Brendon\u2019s home, which appeared to be under renovation. Fortier told officials that the actor \u2014 a longtime smoker \u2014 was dealing with a \u201cpersistent\u201d cough, complaining about chest pain and \u201cself-medicating\u201d with over-the-counter drugs prior to his death, according to the report. Brendon also declined further medical treatment. <\/p>\n

According to the report, Brendon also had a \u201cmarkedly enlarged heart,\u201d \u201cmoderate\u201d blockage in some of his left arteries and small bowel inflammation.<\/p>\n

In addition to \u201cBuffy\u201d and \u201cCriminal Minds,\u201d Brendon was known for roles in the TV series \u201cWithout a Trace,\u201d \u201cPrivate Practice\u201d and \u201cKitchen Confidential.\u201d<\/p>\n

Times staff writer Clara Harter contributed to this report. <\/p>\n