Michelle Trachtenberg lived a quiet life in New York City before her tragic death at age 39.
The actress was found by her mother around 8 a.m. Wednesday at One Columbus Place, the Post exclusively confirmed. It’s believed her body may have rejected a liver transplant, which she received within the last year.
Michelle Trachtenberg in “Harriet the Spy.” ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection
Michelle Trachtenberg on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection“It is with great sadness we confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss,” Trachtenberg’s representative, Gary Mantoosh, said in a statement.
Her death was ruled “undetermined” on Thursday after her family objected to an autopsy, according to a spokeswoman for the city medical examiner’s office and sources.
Trachtenberg had a decades-long career, starring in a slew of iconic roles, including Dawn Summers on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” Georgina Sparks on “Gossip Girl,” and Casey Carlyle in the 2005 film “Ice Princess.”
Michelle Trachtenberg and Sarah Michelle Gellar in the 2000s. ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Michelle Trachtenberg in “Ice Princess.” ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett CollectionMost notably, perhaps, she starred in 1996’s “Harriet the Spy” alongside Rosie O’Donnell.
But, a friend told People that Trachtenberg had taken “a step away from Hollywood” in recent years.
“She just had the story of childhood stardom. She had a couple roles throughout the last decade, but nothing of real note,” the source said.
The “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” alum’s last credited role was in 2023 when she reprised her Georgina role on the short-lived “Gossip Girl” reboot on Max.
Michelle Trachtenberg in “Gossip Girl.” ©CW Network/Courtesy Everett Col
AnnaLynne McCord, Jessica Szohr, Michelle Trachtenberg, Mena Suvari in attendance for Jill Stuart Fall/Winter 2010 Collection Fashion Show.
“She really pulled back from Hollywood [in] the last eight years,” they continued. “She was a great girl who just never got her footing, just like many childhood stars.”
According to the insider, Trachtenberg “was a recluse [and] didn’t have many friends.”
“She was an overall great girl. She was always kind, supportive and loving.”
Michelle Trachtenberg and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Michelle Trachtenberg/Instagram
Michelle Trachtenberg in 2024. michelletrachtenberg/Instagram“It’s so sad. It really is. She was an amazing person,” the source noted.
At the time of her death, Trachtenberg was dating talent agent Jay Cohen, 63. The two have been together since 2020 but kept their relationship mostly out of the spotlight.
Many stars paid tribute to Trachtenberg, including her “Buffy” costar Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Jay Cohen and Michelle Trachtenberg. Michelle Trachtenberg/InstagramOn Thursday, Gellar shared a slew of sweet throwback photos, including shots from Trachtenberg’s time on the show from 2000 to 2003. She captioned the carousel with the words Buffy said to her sister Dawn in “The Gift” episode.
“Michelle, listen to me,” Gellar, 47, wrote. “Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live … for you.”
