Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, Best Known for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl,” Dies at 39

Michelle Trachtenberg, the actress known for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, has tragically passed away at the age of 39. She was found dead at her Manhattan apartment on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed that officers responded to a 911 call at 1 Columbus Place in New York City. Upon their arrival, they found Trachtenberg unconscious and unresponsive. EMS pronounced her dead at the scene, and the NYPD has stated that there is no indication of foul play.

Sources from the New York Post report that Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant. However, authorities have assured the public that her death is not being treated as suspicious.

In recent years, Trachtenberg’s fans had raised concerns about her health, particularly following her appearance on social media. In 2024, she addressed comments about her weight loss, responding directly to a social media user: “@cathy_critz explain to me how I look sick. Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14? I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment.”

She later posted a selfie to reaffirm that she was feeling “happy and healthy” and confirmed she had never undergone plastic surgery.

Trachtenberg began her career at a young age, appearing in TV commercials and the popular Nickelodeon series The Adventures of Pete and Pete. Her breakout role came in 2000 when she joined the cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Dawn Summers. She later went on to star as Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl from 2008 to 2012.

Trachtenberg’s death marks a tragic loss for both her fans and the entertainment industry.

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