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."
Callans seeks seat on Rockville Town Board
Burkett eyes Vermillion County Council District 3 Seat
IDHS warns against disaster assistance fraud
Parke among the ten Indiana counties with reported measles cases
Zamani seeks Vermillion County District 4 seat
USDA announces record payments of $13.8 billion for 2025 crop year revenue and price safety net programs
Nucor Corporation chooses additional expansion in Crawfordsville
Applications open for Indiana's Advanced Nuclear Ready Communities Program
USPS schedule for weekend into Columbus Day
Equipment investments keep working for Indiana habitat
Smith looks to punch ticket to Rockville Town Board seat
Pair of motorcycle crashes keep Parke County Sheriff's deputies busy
Parke Heritage Middle School awarded multi-million dollar Next Generation School Improvement Grant from IDOE
BMV urges Hoosiers to complete voter registration by October 5 deadline
Last day to ask your question for Indiana's next Secretary Of State
