'Can't Buy Me Love' Star Amanda Peterson Dies At 43; Cause Still Unknown

By Staff Reporter | Jul 07, 2015 09:04 PM EDT

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Amanda Peterson, the star of the hit movie "Can't Buy Me Love," has died in her sleep at the age of 43. The cause is still unknown.

Amanda captivated the audience when she appeared in the movie adaptation of "Annie" at the age of 9. She appeared in several TV series such as "Doogie Howser, M.D.," "Boone" and "Father Murphy."

But most fans remember her as "Cindy Mancini" — the popular cheerleader in the '80s comedy film "Can't Buy Me Love." The movie became an international hit and she was praised for her brilliant acting.

IMDb cited some of her work that gained recognition such as the 1986 film "A Year in the Life," which won her a Young Artist Award. After doing the 1994 film "Windrunner," Peterson decided to leave everything behind. She moved back to Colorado to be with her family.

Amanda Peterson did go back to school and took a Master's degree at Colorado State University and she also worked on her autobiography. 

Fox News reported that according to Sgt. Mike Moran of the Greeley Colorado Police Department, Amanda Peterson was found alone in her apartment complex last Sunday.

Her family became concerned and they were also worried when they didn't hear anything from the actress since July 3, Daily Record reports.

People has learned about the final moments of the actress through her mother, Sylvia Peterson, who said that Amanda's death was "just a very, very big surprise."

She added, "She was in bed, and she's had a wonderful day, and we were planning on dinner the next day."

Once considered by many as a popular actress, her mother knew her as someone who had a "cute sense of rumor" and a person who "loves history."

Meanwhile, the cause of death is still unknown and an autopsy is pending. 

Amanda Peterson is survived by her two children and husband David Hartley.

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