Nicholas Brendon dies of cardiovascular disease, coroner says
Updated
Updated · Deadline · May 5
Nicholas Brendon dies of cardiovascular disease, coroner says
16 articles · Updated · Deadline · May 5
The Putnam County Coroner's Office said the 54-year-old Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor had a 90% blockage in his right coronary artery, with acute pneumonia and a previous heart attack contributing.
Coroner Todd Zeiner said police found no obvious signs of foul play at the scene, and Brendon's family had announced on 20 March that he died in his sleep of natural causes.
Brendon was best known for playing Xander Harris across all seven seasons of Buffy and later appeared in Kitchen Confidential, Criminal Minds, Private Practice, Faking It and films including Coherence.
How did a common illness like pneumonia become the final trigger for the actor's fatal, long-term heart condition?
With a history of severe pain and a drug charge, was the actor's refusal of hospital care a choice or a consequence?