'Recluse' Michelle Trachtenberg stepped back from Hollywood, had very few friends before death: Source

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Michelle Trachtenberg had distanced herself from Hollywood, living a life away from the industry that made her famous.

The 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Gossip Girl' star was found unresponsive in her New York City home on February 26. The city’s medical examiner confirmed her family objected to an autopsy, leaving the official cause of death “undetermined".

Michelle Trachtenberg led a private life before her unexpected death at 39

A close friend of the actress revealed that Michelle Trachtenberg had gradually taken "a step away from Hollywood" in recent years, taking only a handful of roles in the past decade.

“She just had the classic story of childhood stardom,” the friend told PEOPLE. “She had a couple roles throughout the last decade, but nothing of real note,” they added.

The source continued, "She really pulled back from Hollywood in the last eight years. She was a great girl who just never got her footing, just like many childhood stars."

According to the source, the actress "was a recluse [and] didn't have many friends."

"She was an overall great girl. She was always kind, supportive, and loving," they said, before adding, "It's so sad. It really is. She was an amazing person."

Reports surfaced that Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant, with some sources suggesting complications may have played a role in her deteriorating health. Another insider shared that the actress had been struggling emotionally and physically in the past year.

“She was really, really sick and open with those in her circle about how much she was struggling,” the source explained. “She was pale, gaunt, very thin, and dealing with health issues.”

Michelle Trachtenberg’s decision to step away from Hollywood sparks online debate

Michelle Trachtenberg’s choice to step back from the Hollywood spotlight has reignited discussions online, with fans debating the reasons behind her departure on Facebook.

One social media user criticized the wave of celebrity tributes, writing, “And all of these celebrity "friends" of hers make me sick with all of their postings paying tribute to her. I bet majority of them hadn't spoken to her in a long time or even checked on her. Funny when people pass away the ones left behind make it about themselves.”

Another commented, “I mean, she was sick. I’d pull back too to focus on myself.” One person expressed, "That was unfair big loss, loosing her RIP."

Another individual asked, "My question is why would such a young woman need a liver transplant? Was she an alcoholic? Heroin addict?"

"Stop . She had a liver transplant. She died of those complications," one netizen remarked, while another added, "She was sick... You can tell from her pictures, she was very jaundiced."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.