Can't Buy Me Love Star Amanda Peterson Dead at 43

Cause of death is unknown but actress' father says "she had some illness and a sleep apnea problem that may have contributed"

UPDATE: According to TMZ, Peterson died of an accidental drug overdose. 

_______________________

Actress Amanda Peterson, best known for her role in the 1987 romantic comedy Can't Buy Me Love with Patrick Dempsey, has died at the age of 43, E! News confirms.

The Greeley Police Department tells us the celeb was discovered dead at her Colorado residence last night. Officers were sent to her home after family members became concerned from not hearing from her. Peterson's cause of death is still under investigation.

However, Peterson's father told TMZ that "she had some illness and a sleep apnea problem that may have contributed."

Peterson had also been dealing with several medical issues over the past two years, including pneumonia and sinusitis, according to the report. Her father adds that the actress was living in a home with mold issues but had moved out about a year ago.

Amanda played the stereotypical blonde cheerleader role as Cindy Mancini in the hit '80s film with Dempsey, but first made her big debut in Hollywood at the young age of 9, when she won a role in the musical film Annie.

In 1986, she was awarded the Young Artist Award in the category of Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Drama Series for NBC's Boone.

After 15 years in Hollywood, Peterson decided to take a break from the spotlight and walked away from the movie industry. She moved back to her roots in Colorado, where she reportedly went back to school and briefly modeled.

—Reporting by Holly Passalaqua