Nicholas Brendon‘s cause of death has been revealed.
As we previously reported, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum passed away at 54 in March. His family broke the sad news, saying he died “in his sleep of natural causes.” The Putnam County Coroner has now confirmed what happened to Nicholas.
According to a report obtained by TMZ on Tuesday, the actor’s death has been ruled natural. He died from atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, which the American Heart Association says is caused by plaque buildup in arterial walls. The coroner revealed Nicholas specifically had a 90 percent blockage of the right coronary artery. Oof. He also had acute pneumonia and previously suffered from a heart attack — both of which are contributing factors to his death.
Related: Darrell Sheets’ Son Brandon Emotionally Mourns Dad One Week After Death
In the report, the coroner stated that Nicholas was found dead on the couch inside a Putnam County, Indiana, home on March 20. His friend was staying at the residence to take care of him since his health had declined, and she told the coroner he had a heart attack “several years ago” but refused any more treatment at that time.
Nicholas’ friend said she last saw him at around 5:00 a.m. the same day he passed away, and heard him coughing. Three hours later, she found him unresponsive and immediately called the police. She also shared that he had been complaining about chest pain but declined to go to the hospital and self-medicated with over-the-counter medications instead.
Per the report, Nicholas was a longtime smoker and was “apprehensive about going [to the hospital] due to his recent back surgery.” The coroner noted surveillance footage of the home showed the Criminal Minds star was “markedly coughing” and had a “raspy” voice before his death.
How sad. May Nicholas rest in peace…
