According to sources who spoke to The Post, Michelle Trachtenberg, the former child actress who starred in a variety of TV and movie shows, such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl,” passed away at the age of 39.
According to the sources, Trachtenberg’s mother discovered her in One Columbus Place, a 51-story upscale apartment building in Manhattan’s Central Park South district, at approximately 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
According to insiders, the actress died of natural causes, but it’s possible that her body rejected the liver transplant she received within the past year.
According to the NYPD, EMS personnel declared Trachtenberg deceased after cops discovered him “unconscious and unresponsive.” After receiving a 911 call about a woman going into cardiac arrest, they arrived at the building.
According to police, her death is not considered suspicious, and the reason will be determined by the city medical examiner.
The death of Michelle Trachtenberg is confirmed with deep sorrow. In a statement, Gary Mantoosh, Trachtenberg’s attorney, said, “The family requests privacy for their loss.”
In recent months, Trachtenberg shared a number of unsettling images to Instagram, showing herself looking thin and weak. Some admirers questioned whether she was using drugs or commented on her shocking weight loss.
In response to fan concerns, Trachtenberg stated in January of last year that she was “happy and healthy” and had never undergone plastic surgery.
Trachtenberg shared a selfie that same month with the remark, “Snake it to make it.”
Concerns over the actress’s health were raised by astute fans who saw a little jaundice tinge in her eyes. Liver issues may manifest as yellow eyes.
Trachtenberg was born in New York City on October 11, 1985, and grew up in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. She played the eccentric gal pal Nona F. Mecklenberg in the iconic Nickelodeon series “The Adventures of Pete and Pete” in the 1990s when she was just 9 years old.
She performed in a number of kid-friendly films and television series before starring as the lead character in the 1996 film “Harriet the Spy.”
She switched to more mature acting roles as an adult, such as playing Dawn Summers, the sister of the vampire-slaying main character in “Buffy,” for three years, and Georgina Sparks, the cunning and manipulative antagonist on the six-season series “Gossip Girl.”
In a mysterious Instagram post at the time, Trachtenberg revealed shocking claims in 2021 against Joss Whedon, the 55-year-old director of “Avengers” and creator of “Buffy,” saying he was physically abusive during filming and that there was a “rule” against him being alone in a room with her on set.
In a subsequent interview with New York Magazine, Whedon refuted the accusations.
Trachtenberg shared a glamorous photo on Instagram with the message, “39 and I’m feeling fiiiiiine,” on her birthday on October 11. The photo received over 32,000 likes.
After learning of her passing, former co-stars, including Rosie O’Donnell, who subtly implied that Trachtenberg had “struggled” in recent years, showered social media with support for the young actress.
Ed Westwick, who portrayed Chuck Bass on “Gossip Girl,” shared a picture of Trachtenberg in the role of Georgina Sparks to express his sadness at her passing.
“I’m really sorry to learn about @michelletrachtenberg’s demise. On his Instagram Story, he posted, “Sending prayers.”
“Rest in peace, sweet Michelle,” actress Kim Cattrall commented beside a broken heart emoji on a lovely snapshot of the two actors from the 2005 Disney movie “Ice Princess.”
Melissa Gilbert also shared a picture of the actress from the 1996 film “Holiday for Love” in remembrance of the actress.
“Oh, Michy.and we were really close. My heart hurts for your family and everyone who loved you. Gilbert posted on Instagram.
“Heartbreaking.” I was deeply in love with her. The past several years were difficult for her. O’Donnell, who costarred alongside Trachtenberg in “Harriet the Spy,” told Us Weekly, “I wish I could have helped.”
David Boreanaz, 55, Trachtenberg’s co-star on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” posted on his Instagram story, “So very sad …horrible news.” He continued, “My condolences and prayers to her and her family.”
According to her online biography, Trachtenberg left behind Jay Cohen, her longtime partner, producer, and talent agent. Cohen is the head of film finance and distribution at Gersh, one of the biggest literary and talent agencies in the world, where Trachtenberg was signed in 2014.
In 2020, the two were initially connected, according to People. Cohen has two grown daughters, Lili and Rachel.
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