Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon has passed away at the age of 54, his family announced in a statement shared on social media. 

“We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes,” read the statement, shared to the actor’s official Facebook page. The family asked for privacy as they grieve the loss and “celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination, and heart”.

Brendon shot to fame for playing Xander Harris, one of Buffy’s two best friends, in the cult favourite series that ran from 1997 to 2003. He received three Emmy nominations for his role in Buffy, two for best TV actor and one for best TV supporting actor.

The BBC reported that Brendon was open about his health struggles, including a heart attack, and underwent two spinal surgeries for a rare condition that can affect movement as well as bladder and bowel function. His death comes a year after the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg, who also starred on the show as Dawn, Buffy’s younger sister.