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Alyson Hannigan<\/a><\/strong> is grieving<\/a> the loss of her beloved Buffy the Vampire Slayer<\/a><\/em> co-star Nicholas Brendon<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n The late actor, known and loved for his role as Xander Harris on the hit ’90s series Buffy the Vampire Slayer<\/em>, died on Friday<\/a>, March 20 at the age of 54. His family confirmed the news<\/a> with a social media statement on Friday evening, asking for privacy as they mourn the profound loss.<\/p>\n After hearing the news of Brendon’s death, Hannigan took to Instagram to share a final message to her late co-star and friend.<\/p>\n Uploading a photo with Brendon from one of their emotional scenes together on Buffy<\/em>, Hannigan, who played the role of Willow Rosenberg, wrote in her post<\/a> on Friday night, “My Sweet Nicky, thank you<\/a> for years of laughter, love and Dodgers.”<\/p>\n “I will think of you every time I see a rocking chair,” she wrote, concluding the heartbreaking post with, “I love you<\/a>. RIP \ud83d\udc94\ud83d\ude22”<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfacSIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox<\/strong><\/a>\ud83c\udfac<\/p>\n In a statement made to the Hollywood Reporter<\/a><\/em>, Brendon’s family said he “passed away in his sleep of natural causes.”<\/p>\n They added, “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.”<\/p>\n Brendon had revealed in 2023 that he had suffered a heart attack and had been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. He also had cauda equina syndrome, which led to several spinal surgeries.<\/p>\n It’s not clear if cauda equina syndrome or Brendon’s heart issues directly contributed to his death.<\/p>\n In their statement on Friday, Brendon’s family asked for “privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination, and heart.”<\/p>\n “Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support,” they concluded.<\/p>\n Related: Sarah Michelle Gellar Honors Michelle Trachtenberg a Year After Her Death<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n This story was originally published by Parade<\/a> on Mar 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the News<\/a> section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\nAlyson Hannigan Mourns ‘Sweet Nicky’ Following News of Nicholas Brendon’s Death<\/h2>\n
How Did Nicholas Brendon Die?<\/h2>\n