Authorities do not suspect foul play in the death of Buffy The Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon, whose body was discovered inside an Indiana home by a friend who had been taking care of him, according to reports.
In a statement shared with US Weekly, Putnam County Coroner Todd Zeiner confirmed he was called on Friday to a residence in west-central Putnam County, where he found the actor “positioned as if he was asleep.” Brendon had already been pronounced dead by the time he arrived, Zeiner added.
“There were no signs of foul play, and nothing at the scene indicated the death was anything other than natural,” the statement continued. “[Brendon] resided alone and was discovered by a longtime friend who had been staying overnight to provide care.”
Zeiner noted that evidence found on the scene “indicated the time of death was very recent.”
The actor’s body was then “transported for autopsy,” and family members “visually identified” his remains a short time later. He was 54 years old.
While his cause of death is still unclear, his loved ones previously said he suffered a history of cardiac issues. Investigators told US Weekly they are also reviewing video recently shared online, which could be “potential evidence of prior illness.”
Toxicology and final autopsy results are still pending. Few other details have been provided, including the identity of the friend who discovered Brendon.
Family members confirmed his death on Friday with an emotional social media post, remembering 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,” they continued.
“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.”
Brendon was best known for playing Xander Harris on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, which aired for seven seasons from 1997 to 2003. He starred alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter and David Boreanaz on the the Emmy-winning WB series. – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
