Michelle Trachtenberg is widely known for her performances in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl.
Michelle Trachtenberg passed away at 39. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for her role in Gossip Girl, passed away Wednesday morning at the age of 39. In the final months of her life, she was aware that “death was a high possibility,” as revealed by her friend Amanda de Cadenet in an Instagram tribute. She also revealed that she had recently FaceTimed Trachtenberg while she was in the hospital.
“Sweetheart Michelle,” de Cadenet wrote alongside a photo of Trachtenberg. “What sad news this morning to wake up to. It feels weird and awful to be posting this, but I want to acknowledge your death because I cared about you. I’m grateful we got to connect, especially in the last few months.”
She continued, “I will always remember you as the young vivacious woman I met when I took this photo of you … Wishing you a peaceful transition sweet friend and may your spirit finally rest.”
It is an edited version of what de Cadenet had written earlier. According to the New York Post, the original caption had included details of a recent FaceTime call with Trachtenberg. It had read, “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 had also written, “I will not share the details of our conversations over the last 6 months, but you knew that death was a high possibility and I am only sorry that the outcome was not a better one.” This part was later removed.
Trachtenberg was found around 8 AM on Wednesday by her mother in her apartment in Manhattan’s Central Park South neighbourhood, sources told The Post.
Her representative, Gary Mantoosh, confirmed the news. “It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time,” Mantoosh said in a statement to The Post.
The cause of death has not been confirmed. Sources told People that she had recently undergone a liver transplant and ABC News reported that “complications” from the procedure may have played a role.
Michelle Trachtenberg started her career in commercials before moving on to roles in The Adventures of Pete & Pete and Harriet the Spy. She later became widely known for her performances in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl.
She also appeared in movies like EuroTrip, 17 Again and Ice Princess. Her last credited role was in 2023 when she returned as Georgina in the Gossip Girl reboot on Max.
