Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar has spoken out following the news of her on-screen sister Michelle Trachtenberg's death. Actress Sarah, 47, starred as the title role in hit TV series Buffy The Vampire Slayer while Michelle – who has sadly died at the age of 39 – undertook the role of her younger sister, Dawn Summers. Actress Michelle appeared in Buffy, which ran from 1997 to 2003, from 2000 until 2003, when the hit show abruptly ended.
Sarah posted a series of photos of the pair throughout their career and friendship on her Instagram, she then wrote in the caption: "'Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you'.".
Sarah's co-star's death was reported by the New York Post yesterday (Wednesday). Citing police sources the publication claims Michelle, who also appeared in Gossip Girl and Zac Efron movie 17 Again, was found at a luxury apartment complex in Manhattan's Central Park South neighbourhood in New York. Michelle's death is not being treated as suspicious but her cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
Michelle regularly posted snaps of herself on social media, including one of herself alongside her Buffy on-screen sister Sarah. Michelle posted the throwback snap of the smiling pair stood next to one another with their heads affectionately touching. As she shared the photo on January 22, she gushed of the photo and her friend Sarah in the caption: "Slay all day! Always loved this twinning photo of us! #buffy #dawn #sister #womancrushwednesday @sarahmgellar".
Following the shock news, friends of the star paid tribute to Michelle, including Buffy actor David Boreanaz, who played Angel on the series. David, 55, shared a black and white photo of Michelle on his Instagram stories and wrote: "So very sad ...horrible news. RIP and prayers to her and her family.".
Actress Selma Blair, meanwhile, commented on Michelle's final Instagram post as she penned: "I love you forever . One of the few. Your memory will be a blessing." And Katheine McPhee added: "A Sweetheart. I’m sorry you left us so soon.". And Blake Lively added: "Everything she did, she did 200%. 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.
"Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend. To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday. Hold those you love and have loved dear.". Meanwhile, Michelle's boyfriend Jay Cohen, 63, who was first romantically linked to Michelle in 2020 told the MailOnline: "The family will not be commenting on the tragedy." He added Michelle's mum and her sister were not at the property, following reports Michelle's mum was the one to find her.
In the months leading up to the actress' sad death, Michelle is understood to have underwent a liver transplant, a source claimed to People. However, Michelle never publicly shared any health conditions. Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs onTikTok,Snapchat,Instagram,Twitter,Facebook,YouTubeandThreads.
