'Gossip Girl' alum Michelle Trachtenberg's cause of death revealed months after she died at 39

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Michelle Trachtenberg died from complications related to diabetes mellitus, the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner revealed on Wednesday, April 16, as reported by Page Six. 

While specific details were not released, officials confirmed that her death was ruled as natural. The 39-year-old actress was found dead in her New York City apartment by her mother on February 26, which sent waves of grief through Hollywood and fans worldwide.

Why did officials rely on toxicology reports to determine Michelle Trachtenberg’s cause of death?

Michelle Trachtenberg’s cause of death was initially listed as "undetermined" after her family declined an autopsy, citing religious reasons, leading officials to rely on toxicology tests to determine the cause. According to sources, the actress had undergone a liver transplant within the past year. 

In the weeks leading up to her death, concerns about her health began to mount. Witnesses reported seeing Trachtenberg looking "in very bad shape" while dining with friends at the upscale Italian restaurant Sartiano’s, appearing frail and struggling to walk down stairs.

Public speculation intensified in January 2024 after she appeared noticeably thin in a photo shared on Instagram. 

In response, Trachtenberg posted another image of herself, pushing back on the rumors with a caption that read, "I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery. I am happy and healthy. Check yourself, haters."

Although she never publicly addressed any ongoing health issues, a close friend, photographer Amanda de Cadenet, later revealed that Trachtenberg was aware of the risks she faced.

"She knew that death was a high possibility. I am only sorry that the outcome was not a better one," de Cadenet wrote in a heartfelt tribute following the actress’s death.

Michelle Trachtenberg’s prominent roles in entertainment industry

Michelle Trachtenberg began her career in the entertainment industry at a young age, first appearing in television commercials before landing a recurring role as Lily Montgomery on the long-running soap opera 'All My Children', as per Deadline. 

Her early success continued with a standout role on Nickelodeon’s 'The Adventures of Pete & Pete', earning her recognition among young audiences. She later received a Daytime Emmy nomination for her work on the Discovery Kids series 'Truth or Scare'. 

Her breakthrough came in 1996 when she starred as Harriet M Welsch in the Paramount Pictures adaptation of the beloved children’s novel 'Harriet the Spy'. In 2000, Trachtenberg joined the cast of the cult-favorite WB series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' during its fifth season, solidifying her status as a teen icon.

She went on to appear in the 2004 cult comedy EuroTrip and starred in Disney’s sports drama 'Ice Princess' in 2005. In 2008, she took on the role of Georgina Sparks in The CW’s hit series 'Gossip Girl', a character she would reprise multiple times. That same year, she appeared alongside Zac Efron and Matthew Perry in the Warner Bros comedy '17 Again'.

In the years that followed, Trachtenberg made guest appearances on several popular TV shows, including 'House', 'Weeds', 'NCIS: Los Angeles', and 'Sleepy Hollow'. She also voiced characters in animated projects like 'Robot Chicken' and returned to the world of 'Gossip Girl' in the 2023 sequel series on Max.

Following her death, many of her former co-stars mourned her loss, including 'Gossip Girl' cast members Blake Lively, Ed Westwick, and Chace Crawford, who shared heartfelt tributes honoring her life and legacy.