Hollywood actor died of natural causes

Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 3:42 PM

By Paul Gable

The investigation into the death of Hollywood actor Nicholas Brendon, who died inside his Putnam County home earlier this year, is completed, and the cause of death was natural causes, according to Putnam County Coroner Todd Zeiner.

Zeiner announced earlier this week Brendon, who starred in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," had 90 percent blockage of his right coronary artery. In addition, the autopsy demonstrated Brendon had a markedly enlarged heart, severe stenosis of the right coronary artery, moderate stenosis of the left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries, acute pneumonia and inflammation of the small bowel, which could be related to cariogenic shock.

Brendon, 54, was found dead inside his Madison Township residence on March 20 by Theresa Fortier, a longtime friend, who had been spending more time with him due to his declining health.

"She stated that she had last seen him around 5 am and heard him coughing. She was sleeping in another room in the house and did not wake till around 8 a.m. and found him," the autopsy report states.

Emergency personnel was quickly called and Brendon was pronounced dead at the scene after being found by Zeiner not breathing and lifeless in a sleeping position on a couch. According to Zeiner's report, Brendon was in the process of renovating his home at the time of his death.

"Mr. Brendon had made multiple videos from the back deck of the home for his fans. These videos provided a basis for his declining health. He was markedly coughing and had a raspy voice," Zeiner wrote.

According to Zeiner, Brendon was a "longtime smoker," who was apprehensive about going to a hospital due to recent back surgery, Fortier said. Several years ago, the actor had a heart attack, but declined further treatment, according to Fortier.

In addition to" Buffy the Vampire Slayer," Brendon was known for his role as Kevin Lynch, who was the love interest of Penelope Garcia on "Criminal Minds."