Michelle Trachtenberg was found in an “unconscious state” in her New York City residence.
Michelle Trachtenberg reportedly had a liver transplant within a year. (Photo Credit: Instagram)
Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for her roles in Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, tragically passed away at the age of 39. The beloved star, who rose to fame through numerous TV shows in the ’90s and 2000s, was reportedly found unresponsive by her mother in her New York City apartment on February 26. The NYPD later confirmed that Trachtenberg was “unconscious and unresponsive” before being pronounced dead by emergency medical personnel.
While the New York Medical Examiner is investigating the circumstances and the cause of her untimely passing, some reports suggest that the actress “underwent a liver transplant” before her death. According to the New York Post, Michelle Trachtenberg underwent major surgery for a liver transplant within the last year; however, it appeared that her body may have rejected the organ, thus resulting in her death.
This comes at a time when one of Trachtenberg’s friends also recalled her last conversation with the late actress. “I will always remember you as the young, vivacious woman I met when I took this photo of you … and seeing your face from the hospital bed when we FaceTimed recently, even though you did not look like you, your sweetness and humour were still alive,” she wrote in a now-edited post, further adding that the actress was aware of her death’s possibility.
Earlier, Trachtenberg’s representative in a statement confirmed her demise, adding that the actress’s family requests privacy at the moment. The Gossip Girl actor’s latest posts have already stirred a wave of concern among her fans, with many pointing out her frail health and yellowish eyes in pictures. In January, Trachtenberg dismissed the rumours with a selfie and added, “Snake it to make it.”
With shockwaves sent across fans and celebrities alike, many of her former co-actors have also reacted to the news and sent condolences. From Trachtenberg’s Gossip Girl co-stars Blake Lively and Ed Westwick to Kim Cattrall, David Boreanaz, and Rosie O’Donnell, much of the industry has been mourning the unfortunate event. The American actress made her start at the age of nine on Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete. She further went on to work in several other shows, including Gossip Girl—which ran from 2007 to 2012. Trachtenberg also worked in films like Harriet the Spy, EuroTrip, Ice Princess, Sister Cities and Killing Kennedy.
