Michelle Trachtenberg, an actress known for her roles on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Gossip Girl” and more, has died at the age of 39, according to multiple reports.
According to sources cited by the New York Post, “Trachtenberg was found by her mother at around 8 a.m. Wednesday at One Columbus Place, a 51-story luxury apartment complex in Manhattan’s Central Park South neighborhood.” Its sources also said that Trachtenberg recently underwent a liver transplant.
The New York Police Department confirmed that the 39-year-old was found “unconscious and unresponsive” by police. She was pronounced dead by EMS workers. Her death is not considered suspicious, per the Post’s report and the New York City medical examiner will determine the cause.
People magazine reported Wednesday that it had reached out to her rep, the LAPD and NYPD for comment. Variety also reported the news.
With the news of her passing, Trachtenberg has been recognized for her strong following among millennials, who grew up watching her in roles on the show “The Adventures of Pete and Pete” and the film “Harriet the Spy”. She starred in those projects when she was a child, and as she got older she appeared in “Ice Princess”, the cult favorite “EuroTrip” and more. In recent years, she appeared in a “Gossip Girl” reboot on HBO Max, reprising her role as Georgina Sparks.
Per the New York Post, Trachtenberg made “bombshell allegations” against “Buffy” creator and “Avengers” director Joss Whedon in 2021, claiming that he was physically abusive. Other actors who worked with Whedon, including “Buffy” and “Angel” star Charisma Carpenter, have also made similar allegations, as outlined in this article from Vulture.
Instagram posts from Trachtenberg have generated concern from her fans over the past years. Some said they were worried about her appearance and asked if she was ill. The actress would occasionally respond and say that she was healthy.