Amanda Peterson, the actress best known for her starring role in the 1987 comedy Can’t Buy Me Love, has died. She was 43-years-old and her cause of death has yet to be confirmed. Peterson’s father confirmed the sad news to TMZ on Monday (6th July).

Amanda PetersonAmanda Peterson photographed at a charity event in Beverly Hills in 2010.

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Her body was found in her home in Greeley, Colorado on Sunday (5th July). Her family had grown concerned when they had not heard from her in two days.

Her cause of death has yet to be revealed. Peterson’s father reportedly noted she’d been suffering from a number of health concerns over the past few years, including pneumonia, sinusitis and sleep apnoea. He also stated she had been living in a house with mould until a year ago when she moved.  

"She had some illness and a sleep apnoea problem that may have contributed," Peterson’s father said.

Peterson had roles in a number of American films between the late 70s and the early 90s. She is best known for playing Cindy Mancini in Can’t Buy Me Love, starring opposite Grey’s Anatomy actor Patrick Dempsey. Peterson was 16 at the time and had previously featured in NBC’s series, A Year in the Life.  

She continued appearing in bit parts until the early 90s when she made the decision to leave the entertainment industry. Peterson decided to return to school at some point in the 00s but dropped out in 2010. According to sources speaking to TMZ, Peterson had recently turned her attention to becoming an author.  

Peterson is survived by her second husband and their two children. A number of celebrities have expressed their sorrow at hearing of Peterson’s passing, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress, Sarah Michelle Gellar

‘When I was younger, I used to want to be #AmandaPeterson,’ Gellar wrote on Twitter. ‘I even asked my mom for a white leather fringe jacket.’

Contactmusic send their condolences to Amanda Peterson’s family at this sad time. 

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