Nicholas Brendon's Cause of Death Revealed

The official cause of death for Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon has been determined following an autopsy by Putnam County Coroner Todd Zeiner.

Brendon passed away on March 20 at the age of 54. According to the coroner's findings, he died from atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with acute pneumonia and a previous heart attack serving as contributing factors. In essence, long-standing heart disease stemming from high blood pressure and arterial plaque accumulation, combined with prior cardiac damage and recent pneumonia infection, led to his death.

The autopsy revealed significant cardiac pathology. The report documented "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. The small bowel inflammation is most likely secondary to ischemic changes related to the cardiogenic shock."

Brendon's manager and friend Theresa Fortier placed the 911 call. According to the coroner's documentation, "There was no resuscitation attempt made due to obvious signs of death. I presumed time of death was around 6 a.m. due to body temp and rigor/livor [mortis] signs."

The coroner noted that Brendon had been experiencing respiratory symptoms. "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," the report stated.

The entertainment community continues to mourn the loss of the beloved actor, one of 11 Buffy cast members who have passed away since the series concluded.