Michelle Trachtenberg's has spoken out after her devastating death. The actress was tragically found dead by her mother at her apartment in New York on Wednesday. Michelle. who starred in Gossip Girl and Buffy The Vampire Slayer is said to have recently undergone a liver transplant. Her cause of death is not being treated as suspicious.
Police in New York were called to One Columbus Place at around 8am on Wednesday, with the actress being confirmed dead after the emergency services had arrived. Police have said the medical examiner will determine the cause of her death. Just hours after the actresses death was confirmed, her boyfriend, Jay Cohen, 63, was seen at her family home in Los Angeles.
Cohen, a talent manager, was first linked to Michelle in 2020. Local residency records state that he was first registered at living at the Sherman Oaks property, with Michelle and her mum from 2021. "The family will not be commenting on the tragedy," he told the MailOnline. He went on to state that Michelle's mum and her sister were not at the property following reports that her mum was the one to find her. Just weeks before Michelle's death, she took to social media to wish Cohen a happy Valentine's Day.
She said: "Happy Valentine's Day to the man who sits still long enough for me to paint his face," as she shared a snap of the couple dressed as Jekyll and Hyde for Halloween. ABC reports that Michelle may have been experiencing complications from her liver transplant in the lead up to her devastating death.
Prior to her death, Michelle, who boasted 800,000 followers on Instagram shared a string of worrying snaps. She had concerned fans with her slim appearance, with many questioning if Michelle was ok. On February 12, Michelle looked frail and thinner than ever as she posed in snap. Her appearance didn't go unnoticed by fans who wished her health and happiness before sharing their concern for her wellbeing. "This is not Michelle," one follower commented at the time. Someone else asked the star if "she was sick" after seeing the photo.
Michelle also posted a photo on January 26 which sparked major concern. The actress appeared to have a much slimmer face, as fans pointed out that she looked like a "completely different person." One concerned fan commented: "There is something wrong and I am not a hater." Someone else agreed: "Gosh, she looks so different. I hope she is okay.".
Last January, Michelle shut down fan concerns as she insisted that she was "happy and healthy" and had never undergone any plastic surgery. In October, Michelle celebrated her 39th birthday by posting another selfie alongside the caption: "39 and I'm feeling fiiiiiine." Following the news of her shocking death, fans have shared heartbreaking tributes to the actress. Buffy The Vampire Slayer actor David Boreanaz said he is “so very sad” as he paid tribute to co-star Michelle.
The US actor shared a tribute to Instagram stories with a black and white picture of Trachtenberg taken from a post shared by an American news site. He wrote: "So very sad. Horrible news. RIP and prayers to her and her family." The actress played Dawn Summers, sister of main character Buffy Ann Summers, who was romantically linked to Angel, portrayed by Boreanaz.
"She raised all of us who grew up in the 2000s, may she rest in peace," another fan penned. "I can't believe what I've just read, NO! My heart is literally breaking right now." Someone else echoed: "My adolescent heart shattered into a million pieces.".
