- Buffy The Vampire Slayer star Michelle Trachtenberg passes at 39
- Trachtenberg rose to fame in the 2000s as an actress
- She was found deceased in her apartment
On 26 February it was announced that Buffy The Vampire Slayer star Michelle Trachtenberg had died at age 39. Trachtenberg was a child actress and rose to fame playing Dawn Summers starting in the show’s fifth season. Reports surfaced about the star’s shocking death.
In the 2000s, Trachtenberg was an actress who could be seen in many projects. Following Buffy, she had a string of successful projects including 2004’s Eurotrip and a recurring role as the antagonist socialite Georgina Sparks on The CW’s Gossip Girl. She reprised her role in the 2021 HBO spinoff of the show briefly.
Read More: Sarah Michelle Gellar Vows To Do Buffy Reboot ‘Right’
In recent years, Tratchenberg was more quiet on the acting front but still had a presence online. In January 2024, Trachtenberg faced online trolling after she posted a selfie on her Instagram. Users noted that she looked different, with some criticizing her appearance.
The actress clapped back to one comment, she said “Explain to me how I look sick. Did you lose a calendar and realize I’m not 14? I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment.”
Fans online are shocked by the actress’ sudden death. But what happened to her?
What happened to Michelle Trachtenberg?
ABC News reported that the actress was found on 26 February just after 8. am in her New York City apartment near Columbus Circle. The actress was found by her mother, according to police.
On her cause of death, there is no official diagnosis yet, but sources said that a recent liver transplant could’ve been the reason if she had experienced complications.
Nothing has been confirmed yet on how she died, as an autopsy will need to be conducted.
Throwback posts
The actress raised some eyebrows recently on Instagram with her posting a series of throwback posts. One particular caption read, “#Sundayscaries ain’t got nothing on me!” Her last post was on 18 February.
The 39-year-old also previously addressed trauma from the set of Buffy about the show’s disgraced creator Joss Whedon, who she accused of being “not appropriate” with her.
However, she has not recently spoken openly about having any other struggles other than health ones. The Gossip Girl star hasn’t acted since reprising her role as Georgina Sparks in the show’s reboot.
Have any of her co-stars reacted to the news?
The stars of Buffy have not yet reacted to Trachtenberg’s passing, but when they do we will report on it.
