‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ actress Amanda Peterson died of drug overdose

Weld County’s forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Burson and coroner Mark Ward report the former actress died from hypoventilation caused by a morphine overdose. Amanda was found dead in her Colorado apartment in early July.

After shooting to fame in the late ’80s, Peterson continued to star in movies and TV shows until the mid ’90s, when she decided to quit the industry. She was 43 years old, married and living in Greeley, Colorado, where she grew up. She had marijuana and multiple prescriptions drugs in her system at the time of her death, including morphine. A medical examiner said she had six times the normal level of Gabapentin in her system, which is a drug she was prescribed for pain.

She also appeared in episodes of Doogie Howser, MD and Silver Spoons.

Other medications in her system at the time of death included some to help with depression, anxiety, pain and insomnia. She also took opiates and phenothiazines, which are a part of various anti-psychotic medications.

In the film, now considered a classic, she starred opposite Patrick Dempsey in the role of cheerleader Cindi Mancini aged just 15.

He added: “She had some illness and a sleep apnea problem that may have contributed”.

Amanda Peterson who is known for her role in “Can’t Buy Me Love” passed away exactly two months ago. “This was not, in any way, a drug thing”, she told ET.