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\n\tA cause of death for\u00a0Nicholas Brendon, known for being part of the Scooby gang on\u00a0Buffy the Vampire Slayer<\/em>, has been revealed. <\/p>\n \n\tAccording to a May 5 report from the Putnam County Coroner\u2019s office obtained by People, Brandon died of atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with acute pneumonia and previous myocardial infarction as contributing factors. The \u201cmechanism of death\u201d was 90% blockage right coronary artery.<\/p>\n \n\tBrendon\u2019s family revealed the actor died March 20 \u201cin his sleep of natural causes.\u201d He was 54.<\/p>\n \n\tIn the report, coroner Todd Zeiner\u00a0said law enforcement at the scene \u201cfound no obvious signs of foul play and assisted me with cataloging the scene. Nothing seemed out of place or disturbed.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tBrendon played the series regular role of Xander Harris opposite Sarah Michelle Gellar across Buffy the Vampire Slaye<\/em>r\u2019s seven seasons on The WB and UPN. <\/p>\n \n\tAfter Buffy,<\/em> Brendon went on to star in\u00a0Kitchen Confidential<\/em>\u00a0as pastry chef Seth Richman alongside Bradley Cooper and Jaime King. He later recurred in\u00a0Criminal Minds<\/em>,\u00a0Private Practice<\/em>, and\u00a0Faking It<\/em>.<\/p>\n \n\tOn the film side, Brendon starred in the 2000s comedy horror film\u00a0Psycho Beach Party<\/em>\u00a0alongside Lauren Ambrose. Other film credits included\u00a0Demon Island<\/em>\u00a0(2002),\u00a0Unholy<\/em>\u00a0(2007),\u00a0Blood on the Highway<\/em>\u00a0(2008),\u00a0Big Gay Love<\/em>\u00a0(2013), and\u00a0Coherence<\/em>\u00a0(2013), among others.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWe are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes,\u201d read a statement from Brendon\u2019s family on his\u00a0Instagram on March 20. \u201cMost people know Nicky for his work as an actor, and for the characters he brought to life over the years. In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art. Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans. He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThose who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was. While it\u2019s 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. 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,\u201d the statement concluded.<\/p>\n \n\tArmando Tinoco contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n