Gossip Girl actress, Michelle Trachtenberg, was found dead in her New York City apartment on February 26th. The next day, the city’s medical examiner said they couldn’t determine the cause of death because her family didn’t want an autopsy.
She was found by her mother in her New York City apartment
On Wednesday morning, a little after 8 a.m., police got a 911 call from Michelle’s mom. When they showed up at Trachtenberg’s apartment in One Columbus Place, they found her “unconscious and unresponsive.” Emergency medical workers pronounced her dead at the scene.
Michelle Trachtenberg’s cause of death was ruled ‘undetermined’
The next day, New York City’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner shared that the 39-year-old’s cause of death was ruled ‘undetermined.’ A spokesperson for the office told the New York Post that the ruling came after Trachtenberg’s family objected to an autopsy.
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Her family objected to an autopsy due to public health law
Sources said the medical examiner’s office went along with the family’s request because of New York State’s public health law. Since there was no autopsy, they couldn’t really figure out much about what happened to the Gossip Girl star.
She recently underwent a liver transplant
The New York Post reported that she had a liver transplant not too long ago.
She had a long career record
Trachtenberg shone bright in the ‘90s when she played Dawn Summers on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She stayed on the show until it wrapped up in 2003.
Fans started worrying about Trachtenberg’s health last year
Some photos she posted on Instagram had people asking about her weight loss and how she looked a bit ‘bony’.
In January 2024, she shut down the rumors
On social media, the actress said she was “happy and healthy” and had never had plastic surgery. “Explain to me how I look sick,” she clapped back on Instagram.
“Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14? I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment.”
Celebrities shared tributes since Trachtenberg’s passing
Rosie O’Donnell said the actress had been struggling for a while. O’Donnell and Trachtenberg worked together back in 1996 on Harriet the Spy, one of Trachtenberg’s first big roles.
“Heartbreaking,” O’Donnell said in a statement. “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.” She played a sixth-grader who wanted to be a writer and a spy, while O’Donnell played her nanny.
Blake Lively said she had an ‘electric’ presence
Blake Lively, who played Serena van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl, posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.
Lively went on to say Trachtenberg was “a kind person through and through” and that time has a way of making people take old friends for granted.
