‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ actress Amanda Peterson dies at 43

Patrick Dempsey has sent his condolences to the family of his Can’t Buy Me Love co-star Amanda Peterson following her death on Sunday. Amanda would have turned 44 today.The official cause of death is not known at this time and is pending an autopsy. Peterson’s father, however, stated, “She had some illness and a sleep apnea problem that may have contributed”.

Peterson’s father James Hill Peterson told TMZ the family became concerned after they had not heard from the 43-year-old actress since July 3.

Peterson began her film career when she was 9 in the 1982 adaptation of the play “Annie”, directed by John Huston. Her biggest role was playing opposite Patrick Dempsey in “Can’t Buy Me Love“. Before her death, it’s said that Amanda had been trying to make it as a writer. She’s been away from the entertainment industry for years; her last film, “Windrunner“, came out in 1994.

On Friday, Amanda and her mother were to have dinner together. She lived in Greeley and she lived in Fort Collins, and pretty much just continued in graduate work and in studying in that kind of thing. Sylvia told ET that Amanda was found in her bed. Her body was finally discovered at her home on July 5.

To read the rest of Peterson’s remarks, head over to PEOPLE.