4 weeks ago
Nicholas Brendon’s origin of decease has been revealed.
The “Buffy nan Vampire Slayer” star, who died connected March 20 successful Indiana, died of atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular illness pinch acute pneumonia and erstwhile myocardial infarction being contributing factors, according to his autopsy results obtained by Page Six.
The mode of decease was natural, and nan system of his decease was 90% blockage of his correct coronary artery.
According to Putnam County Coroner Todd Zeiner, Brendon’s longtime head and friend, Theresa Fortier, was nan personification who recovered him connected his sofa and called 911.
“There was nary resuscitation effort made owed to evident signs of death,” Zeiner explained successful his autopsy report. “I presumed clip of decease was astir 6 a.m. owed to assemblage temp and rigor/livor [mortis] signs.”
Zeiner added, “He was markedly coughing and had a ‘raspy’ voice. Theresa stated nan decedent had been having a persistent cough and had been aforesaid medicating pinch complete nan antagonistic medications. He had been complaining astir thorax pain.”
Fortier reportedly recommended that Brendon spell to nan hospital, but he declined.
“He was a longtime smoker and was apprehensive astir going owed to his caller backmost surgery,” Zeiner wrote.
Brendon’s family antecedently announced that he had “passed successful his slumber of earthy causes” astatine nan property of 54, noting that “most group cognize Nicky for his activity arsenic an character and for nan characters he brought to life complete nan years.”
They continued, “In caller years, Nicky [had] recovered his passion successful coating and art. Nicky loved to stock his enthusiastic talent pinch his family, friends and fans.”
Brendon was “passionate, delicate and endlessly driven to create,” his family insisted. “Those who genuinely knew him understood that his creation was 1 of nan purest reflections of who he was.”
They went on, “While it’s nary concealed that Nicholas had struggles successful nan past, he was connected medications and curen to negociate his diagnosis, and he was optimistic astir nan early astatine nan clip of his passing.”
The family concluded by asking for “privacy” to “grieve his nonaccomplishment and observe nan life of a man who lived pinch intensity, imagination and heart.” They besides thanked those who person “shown emotion and support.”
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Zeiner antecedently told Page Six that Brendon “resided unsocial and was discovered by a longtime friend who had been staying overnight to supply care.”
Zeiner said nan pal — whose personality is chartless — recovered Brendon “positioned arsenic if asleep,” and he was pronounced dormant by aesculapian unit pinch “no signs of foul play … and thing astatine nan segment indicat[ing] nan decease was thing different than natural.”
Throughout his life, Brendon — who went to rehab respective times for alcoholism and supplier addiction — had various run-ins pinch nan law, including successful 2021 erstwhile he was arrested and charged pinch medicine fraud and refusal to place himself to police.
After pleading blameworthy to nan felony, nan misdemeanor complaint was dismissed, and Brendon was sentenced to a twelvemonth of probation.
The “Criminal Minds” character — who had besides been accused of home violence and sexual misconduct — was facing unrelated ineligible challenges arsenic good arsenic wellness issues astatine nan clip of his death.
He was diagnosed pinch cauda equina syndrome (CES) aft a superior autumn successful 2021, which required aggregate spinal surgeries and led to partial paralysis successful his legs and genitals.
He later knowledgeable 2 cardiac incidents, including a bosom attack, that led to nan find of a congenital bosom defect.
Brendon addressed his difficulties successful a 2023 Instagram post, lamenting successful portion astatine nan time, “I’ve had aggregate expert appointments to juggle, and dealing pinch wellness security and pre-approvals feels astir arsenic emotionally exhausting and achy arsenic dealing pinch my existent injuries.”
Many of Brendon’s “Buffy” co-stars posted Instagram tributes aft his passing, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played Buffy Summers successful nan celebrated play series.
The character uploaded a throwback photograph of nan pair and quoted Brendon’s character, Xander Harris, successful nan caption, writing, “‘They’ll ne'er cognize really reliable it is to beryllium nan 1 who isn’t chosen. To unrecorded truthful adjacent to nan spotlight, and ne'er measurement successful it. But I know. I spot much than anybody realizes, because nobody’s watching me.'”
She added, “I saw you Nicky. I cognize you are astatine peace, successful that large rocking chair successful nan sky.”
