Nicholas Brendon’s cause of death has been revealed.
The “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star — who died on March 20 in Indiana — died of atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with acute pneumonia and previous myocardial infarction (heart attack) being contributing factors, according to his autopsy report obtained exclusively by Page Six.
Hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease involves high blood pressure damaging artery walls, which accelerates plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) and narrows arteries, restricting blood flow.
Meanwhile, acute pneumonia is a sudden-onset infection that causes inflammation in the lungs as fluid or pus fill the air sacs.
The mechanism of Brendon’s death, which was determined to be natural, was 90 percent blockage of his right coronary artery.
Nicholas Bendon’s cause of death has been revealed. He’s seen here in a previous Facebook video.
The “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star, pictured above in a 2000 promo shot for the series, died on March 20 in Indiana. ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
“Autopsy demonstrated an adult male with a markedly enlarged heart, severe stenosis of the right coronary artery, moderate stenosis of the left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries, acute pneumonia and inflammation of the small bowel,” Putnam County Coroner Todd Zeiner explained of his findings. “The small bowel inflammation is most likely secondary to ischemic changes related to the cardiogenic shock.”
Brendon’s longtime manager and friend, Theresa Fortier, was the person who found him “in a sleeping position on the couch” and called 911 just before 8:30 a.m. local time.
“There was no resuscitation attempt made due to obvious signs of death,” Zeiner wrote. “I presumed time of death was around 6 a.m. due to body temp[erature] and rigor [mortis]/livor [mortis] signs.”
Rigor mortis is the stiffening of the muscles caused by chemical changes that occur after death, and livor mortis is the gravitational pooling of blood that causes dark purple or reddish discoloration of a deceased person’s body parts.
Zeiner added, “He was markedly coughing and had a ‘raspy’ voice. 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.”
According to his autopsy report, Brendon — whose house is seen here — died of atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Putnam County Coroner
Acute pneumonia and previous myocardial infarction (heart attack) were contributing factors to his death. Putnam County Coroner
Fortier reportedly recommended that Brendon go to the hospital to have his chest pain checked out, but he declined.
“He was a longtime smoker and was apprehensive about going due to his recent back surgery,” Zeiner wrote.
He observed “no obvious signs of foul play” and “no further evidence at the scene,” noting that “nothing seemed out of place or disturbed” in the home, which Brendon appeared to have been “renovating.”
“Mr. Brendon had made multiple videos from the back deck of the home for his fans. These videos provided a basis for his declining health,” Zeiner opined.
Brendon’s family previously announced that he had “passed in his sleep of natural causes” at the age of 54, noting that “most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years.”
Brendon, seen here in 2020, was 54 when he died. Nicholas Brendon/Instagram
Brendon’s family previously announced that he had “passed in his sleep of natural causes.” He is pictured above in 2008. MediaPunch / BACKGRID
They continued, “In recent years, Nicky [had] found his passion in painting and art. Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans.”
Brendon was “passionate, sensitive and endlessly driven to create,” his family insisted. “Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was.”
They went on, “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.”
The family concluded by asking for “privacy” to “grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination and heart.” They also thanked those who have “shown love and support.”
Zeiner previously told Page Six that Brendon “resided alone and was discovered by a longtime friend who had been staying overnight to provide care.”
Putnam County Coroner Todd Zeiner previously said the actor, seen here in a “Buffy” Season 6 promo shot, “resided alone and was discovered by a longtime friend who had been staying overnight to provide care.” ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Throughout his life, Brendon — pictured above with his co-stars — went to rehab several times for alcoholism and drug addiction and had various run-ins with the law. ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Zeiner said the pal — whose identity was not disclosed at the time — found Brendon “positioned as if asleep,” and he was pronounced dead by medical personnel, with “no signs of foul play … and nothing at the scene indicat[ing] the death was anything other than natural.”
The “Criminal Minds” actor had a history of health issues.
He was diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome (CES) after a serious fall in 2021, which required multiple spinal surgeries and led to partial paralysis in his legs and genitals.
He later experienced two cardiac incidents, including a heart attack in 2022, that led to the discovery of a congenital heart defect.
Brendon addressed his difficulties in a 2023 Instagram post, lamenting in part at the time, “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.”
Brendon, seen here with co-stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz in Season 2, had a history of heart and mobility issues. ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
The “Criminal Minds” actor, pictured above in 2012, had also been accused of domestic violence and sexual misconduct. WireImage
Throughout his life, Brendon — who went to rehab several times for alcoholism and drug addiction — had various run-ins with the law, including in 2021 when he was arrested and charged with prescription fraud and refusal to identify himself to police.
After pleading guilty to the felony, the misdemeanor charge was dismissed, and Brendon was sentenced to a year of probation.
He had also been accused of domestic violence and sexual misconduct throughout his life, and he was facing unrelated legal challenges when he died.
Many of Brendon’s “Buffy” co-stars posted Instagram tributes after his passing, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played Buffy Summers in the popular drama series.
The actress uploaded a throwback photo of the pair and quoted Brendon’s character, Xander Harris, in the caption, writing, “‘They’ll never know how tough it is to be the one who isn’t chosen. To live so near to the spotlight, and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realizes, because nobody’s watching me.’”
She added, “I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.”
