Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, has passed away at the age of 39, sources confirmed to The Post.
Trachtenberg was found by her mother around 8 a.m. on Wednesday at One Columbus Place, a luxury high-rise in Manhattan’s Central Park South. According to sources, she had recently undergone a liver transplant and died of natural causes. The New York Police Department (NYPD) stated that she was discovered “unconscious and unresponsive” before being pronounced dead by EMS workers. Authorities responded to a 911 call reporting a woman in cardiac arrest, and the NYPD confirmed that her death is not considered suspicious. The city’s medical examiner will determine the official cause.
In recent months, Trachtenberg shared concerning images on Instagram, where she had over 800,000 followers. Fans expressed worry over her frail appearance and noticeable weight loss, with some speculating about substance use. However, in January, she reassured fans that she was “happy and healthy” and had never undergone plastic surgery.
Born in New York City on October 11, 1985, Trachtenberg began her acting career early. At just 9 years old, she landed her first credited role as Nona F. Mecklenberg on Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Pete and Pete. She later gained widespread recognition for her lead role in the 1996 film Harriet the Spy, marking the start of a successful career in film and television.
