Buffy Star Nicholas Brendon's Probable Cause of Death Revealed

1 month ago 13

After Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon, who played Xander Harris in the Sarah Michelle Gellar-led series died March 20, a coroner has issued his official cause of death.

By Olivia Evans May 05, 2026 7:02 PM

| Updated 58 minutes ago

Tags

Sarah Michelle Gellar Breaks Silence on Nicholas Brendon's Death in Touching Tribute

New details regarding Nicholas Brendon’s death have come to light.

Over a month after the Buffy the Vampire Slayer star died at 54, the Putnam County Coroner in New York determined his death was caused by natural causes, specifically from his atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, according to a report obtained by E! News.

The coroner’s report further stated that Brendon had been battling acute pneumonia, which contributed to his death, as well as a myocardial infarction, or a heart attack, that he suffered in 2023. At the time of his death, he had a 90 percent blockage to his right coronary artery.

Brendon was found dead March 20 in his New York home by a friend who was helping care for him, the Putnam County Coroner previously told People in a March statement.

E! News has reached out to the Putnam County Coroner but has not heard back.

Following his death, Brendon’s family indicated he died from natural causes, citing the health battles that the actor—who portrayed Xander Harris for the entirety of Buffy’s seven-season run—was facing leading up to his death.

However, his family noted that Brendon—who had been open about his struggles with addiction and diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome (CES)—was "optimistic about the future” at the time of his death.

“In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art,” the family told The Hollywood Reporter in a March 20 statement. “Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans. He was 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."

And those who were around Brendon during his career rushed to mourn him.

Scott Wintrow/Getty Images

Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar shared an Instagram post honoring her late costar March 21, writing, “I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.”

Meanwhile, Alyson Hannigan wrote in an Instagram Story at the time of her former costar’s death, "My Sweet Nicky, thank you for years of laughter, love and Dodgers.”

And Emma Caulfield expressed, "My heart is heavy. I can’t put into words just how this has hit me.”

Keep reading for Brendon’s life in photos…

Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

1998

Bei/Shutterstock

1998

With Buffy the Vampire Slayer costar Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

1998

With Buffy the Vampire Slayer costar David Boreanaz.

Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage for InStyle Magazine

2002