The ‘Gossip Girl’ alum was found dead in her New York City apartment on Wednesday. On Thursday, 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.
On Wednesday, police responded to a 911 call just after 8 a.m. at Trachtenberg’s home in One Columbus Place, a 51-story luxury apartment complex on Central Park South. She was found dead in her apartment by her mother. According to the Post, she recently underwent a liver transplant.
Trachtenberg’s acting career took off in the Nineties thanks to her role as Dawn Summers in the hit series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She remained on the show until it ended in 2003. She also played the lead role in Disney’s 2005 comedy sports film Ice Princess as Casey Carlyle before taking on her signature role as antagonist Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl, which ran on The CW from 2007 to 2012. Trachtenberg returned to the part for two episodes of Max’s recent Gossip Girl revival.
Fans had raised concerns about the actor’s health and wellbeing last year. At the time, a series of photos on her Instagram page last year prompted some to speculate about her apparent weight loss and somewhat gaunt appearance. A number of celebrities have paid tribute following Trachtenberg’s death including Rosie O’Donnell — who claimed that the actor was struggling over the years.
“Heartbreaking,” she said in a statement about Trachtenberg’s passing. “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.”. O’Donnell worked with Trachtenberg on the 1996 Nickelodeon movie, Harriet the Spy. In the film, which was one of Trachtenberg's first acting roles, she played a sixth-grader who aspired to be a writer and a spy, while O’Donnell played her character’s nanny.
“You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200 percent,” Lively wrote. “She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself.”.
“She was a kind person through and through. Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend,” the actor concluded. “Hold those you love and have loved dear. The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle. May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire.”.
