Brendon died in his sleep on March 20 at the age of 54
Credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Authorities say a friend of Nicholas Brendon was the one who found the actor dead
- The Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum was pronounced dead on March 20 at the age of 54
- At the time of his death, a friend was staying with Brendon to help take care of him
Nicholas Brendon was found by a friend shortly after he died, according to new details being shared by authorities.
In a statement to PEOPLE on Wednesday, March 25, Putnam County Coroner Todd Zeiner confirmed the Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum, 54, was found deceased on March 20, and “positioned as if asleep.” TMZ was first to report the news.
“The decedent resided alone and was discovered by a longtime friend who had been staying overnight to provide care,” Zeiner said. “Evidence indicated the time of death was very recent. Investigators are reviewing recently posted videos as potential evidence of prior illness.”
Credit: Barry Brecheisen/WireImage
The identity of the friend who found Brendon was not disclosed.
Brendon’s family members reported that the actor had a history of cardiac issues, Zeiner said, adding that there were no signs of foul play. Nothing at the scene indicated the death was anything other than natural, the coroner added.
Brendon’s body was transported for an autopsy. Toxicology and final results are pending. The final cause and manner of death will be released upon completion of all findings.
The actor's family confirmed his death in an Instagram post on March 20.
"We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes," his loved ones said in a statement.
In the lengthy post, they remembered him as “passionate, sensitive and endlessly driven to create."
"Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was," his family said. "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. Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination and heart. Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support."
Credit: 20th Century Fox Film Corp.
Brendon became known for his role as Xander Harris on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which aired for seven seasons from 1997 to 2003, alongside costars Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter and David Boreanaz.
“‘They’ll never know how tough it is to be the one who isn’t chosen,’” Gellar, 48, wrote in an Instagram tribute to Brendon, quoting his Buffy character, alongside a throwback photo of them together. “‘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.’”
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“I saw you Nicky,” Gellar added. “I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.”
Hannigan, 52, and Boreanaz, 56, also mourned the loss.
In addition to Buffy, Brendon was also known for his work in movies like Psycho Beach Party, Unholy and Coherence. His other TV shows included Bradley Cooper's Kitchen Confidential and Criminal Minds, in which he played the recurring character Kevin Lynch.
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