Michelle Trachtenberg, ‘Gossip Girl’ and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' star, dies at 39
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Michelle Trachtenberg was found dead in her New York City apartment on Wednesday, February 26.
The 39-year-old actress, known for her roles in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘Gossip Girl,’ was discovered by her mother just after 8 am near Columbus Circle.
How did Michelle Trachtenberg die?
Authorities told ABC News that Trachtenberg died of natural causes and may have suffered complications following a liver transplant.
Further details on her health leading up to her death have not been publicly disclosed.
Police sources confirmed her death is not considered suspicious.
Fans concerned over Michelle Trachtenberg's troubling social media posts
In recent months, fans had expressed concern over Michelle Trachtenberg’s health after she posted a series of troubling images on Instagram, where she had 800,000 followers.
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The photos depicted her looking frail and gaunt, with some fans questioning whether she was struggling with health issues, according to New York Post.
In January, Trachtenberg attempted to reassure followers by stating she was “happy and healthy” and had never undergone plastic surgery.
However, concerns about her well-being continued to surface as her public appearances became less frequent.
Michelle Trachtenberg's stardom from childhood to adulthood
Born on October 11, 1985, in New York City, Michelle Trachtenberg’s acting career began early.
At just nine years old, she landed her first credited role on the beloved 1990s Nickelodeon series ‘The Adventures of Pete and Pete,’ portraying the quirky character Nona F Mecklenberg.
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Her big break came in 1996 when she starred as the title character in ‘Harriet the Spy,’ which cemented her status as a rising child star.
She continued to take on prominent roles in children’s television and films before transitioning to more mature projects as she grew older.
Michelle Trachtenberg's iconic roles and controversial allegations
Michelle Trachtenberg became a household name in the early 2000s for her portrayal of Dawn Summers, the younger sister of the titular vampire slayer in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer.’
Later, she captivated audiences with her role as Georgina Sparks, a manipulative and unpredictable antagonist on the hit teen drama ‘Gossip Girl,’ which aired for six seasons.
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In 2021, Trachtenberg made headlines when she accused ‘Buffy’ creator and ‘Avengers’ director Joss Whedon of abuse during filming.
She claimed there was a rule on set preventing Whedon from being alone with her in a room, alluding to alleged inappropriate behavior.
Whedon denied the accusations in a later interview with New York Magazine.
