New details reveal Nicholas Brendon’s final hours after death at 54

Nicholas Brendon was found dead by a close friend who had been caring for him, as authorities share new details about the actor’s final hours.

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer star, 54, died on March 20 and was discovered shortly after, with officials saying he appeared to be asleep at the time.

Putnam County Coroner Todd Zeiner said Brendon had been living alone, but a longtime friend had been staying overnight to assist him. It was this friend who found his body.

Authorities said there were no signs of foul play, with early indications pointing to natural causes. Brendon’s family had previously reported that he had a history of cardiac issues.

Investigators are also reviewing videos posted before his death as part of efforts to determine whether there were any visible signs of illness in his final days.

An autopsy has been conducted, while toxicology results are still pending. Officials said the final cause and manner of death will be confirmed once all findings are complete.

Brendon’s family confirmed his death earlier, saying he “passed in his sleep of natural causes” and describing him as “passionate, sensitive and endlessly driven to create”.

He rose to fame as Xander Harris in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which aired from 1997 to 2003 and became a defining series of its era.

Tributes have since poured in from co-stars including Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz, as fans continue to mourn the loss.

Beyond Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Brendon appeared in series such as Criminal Minds and films including Coherence, building a decades-long career in television and film.

His death has now drawn renewed attention as more details emerge about the circumstances in which he was found.