Michelle Trachtenberg Dies at 39, Tributes Pour in From Hollywood and Beyond

The actor, known for roles in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Gossip Girl,' was found unresponsive in her NYC apartment; her cause of death remains undetermined.

Michelle Trachtenberg, 39, was discovered unresponsive in her New York City apartment on February 26, 2025, and pronounced dead at the scene.
Her family objected to an autopsy for religious reasons, leaving the official cause of death undetermined; she had recently undergone a liver transplant, which may have contributed to her passing.
Trachtenberg was best known for her roles in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' 'Gossip Girl,' and the film 'Harriet the Spy,' earning acclaim as a child star and throughout her career.
Friends, co-stars, and public figures, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Blake Lively, and Princess Eugenie, shared heartfelt tributes, highlighting her kindness, humor, and impact on their lives.
An investigation into her death is ongoing, though no criminal activity is suspected, according to the New York Police Department.