The cause and manner of Michelle Trachtenberg’s death will remain officially undetermined, as confirmed by the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Trachtenberg’s family opted not to have an autopsy performed due to their religious beliefs. According to the medical examiner’s office, an autopsy would typically take place if foul play were suspected; however, since there were no signs of criminal activity, they respected the family’s wishes.
Authorities responded to a 911 call just after 8 a.m. on Wednesday at a luxury residential tower in midtown Manhattan, where Trachtenberg was discovered unresponsive. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. She was 39 years old.
The former star of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl had recently undergone a liver transplant and may have experienced complications, as police sources disclosed to ABC News.
A family spokesperson released a statement on Wednesday acknowledging her death: “It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg. We kindly ask for privacy during this difficult time. No additional details are available,” the statement read.
Trachtenberg began her acting career at the tender age of 3 with commercials, later gaining fame for her role as Lily Montgomery on the soap opera All My Children. She rose to prominence starring in Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete and earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for Truth or Scare.
She joined Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 2000 as Dawn Summers, and later appeared in cult favorites like EuroTrip and Ice Princess. In 2008, she took on the role of Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl, a character known for her cunning unpredictability.
Her final television contributions included guest roles on series such as House and NCIS: Los Angeles, along with a reprisal of her role in Max’s Gossip Girl sequel in 2023.
Matt Grobar contributed to this report.
Vocabulary List:
- Autopsy /ˈɔːtɒp.si/ (noun): A medical examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death.
- Complications /ˌkɒmplɪˈkeɪʃənz/ (noun): Difficulties that arise especially as a result of a medical procedure or condition.
- Pronounced /prəˈnaʊnst/ (verb): Declared or made an announcement of something officially.
- Spokesperson /ˈspoʊksˌpɜr.sən/ (noun): A person who speaks on behalf of another person or group.
- Cunning /ˈkʌn.ɪŋ/ (adjective): Having or showing skill in achieving one’s ends by deceit or evasion.
- Acknowledging /əkˈnɒl.ɪdʒ/ (verb): Accepting or admitting the existence or truth of something.
