Michelle Trachtenberg lifeless at 39 — former ‘Gossip Woman,’ ‘Harriet the Spy’ star shared troubling posts

Michelle Trachtenberg, the previous baby star identified for a variety of TV and movie roles together with in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Woman,” has died on the age of 39, sources informed The Put up.

Trachtenberg was discovered by her mom round 8 a.m. Wednesday at One Columbus Place, a 51-story luxurious house advanced in Manhattan’s Central Park South neighborhood, the sources mentioned.

The actress underwent a liver transplant inside the final 12 months, however her physique might have rejected the organ, based on sources, who mentioned she died of pure causes. 

The NYPD confirmed Trachtenberg was discovered “unconscious and unresponsive” by police and pronounced lifeless by EMS staff. They responded to the constructing after a 911 name reporting a lady experiencing cardiac arrest.

Her demise shouldn’t be deemed suspicious and the town health worker will decide the trigger, cops mentioned.

“It’s with nice disappointment to verify that Michelle Trachtenberg has handed away. The household requests privateness for his or her loss,” Trachtenberg’s consultant, Gary Mantoosh, mentioned in an announcement.

Trachtenberg had posted a collection of troubling photos in latest months to Instagram, wherein she appeared gaunt and frail, prompting some followers to remark about her startling weight reduction or ask if she was on medicine.

Final January, Trachtenberg responded to fan considerations, saying she was “pleased and wholesome” and had by no means had cosmetic surgery.

That very same month, Trachtenberg posted a selfie, writing “Snake it to make it” within the caption. 

Eagle-eyed followers seen a slight jaundice tint in her eyes, elevating fear concerning the actress’ well being. Yellow eyes is usually a symptom of liver issues.

Born in New York Metropolis on Oct. 11, 1985 and raised in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Trachtenberg’s first credited position got here on the age of 9 on the basic Nineties Nickelodeon collection “The Adventures of Pete and Pete,” wherein she portrayed quirky gal-pal Nona F. Mecklenberg.

She went on to star in quite a lot of kid-oriented films and reveals, making her movie debut in 1996’s “Harriet the Spy,” wherein she performed the title character.

‘Harriet the Spy,’ ‘Gossip Woman’ actress Michelle Trachtenberg lifeless at 39

As an grownup, she pivoted to extra mature performing fare, together with a three-year stint enjoying Daybreak Summers, the sister of “Buffy’s” eponymous vampire-slaying protagonist, in addition to the manipulative, calculating antagonist Georgina Sparks on “Gossip Woman,” which ran for six seasons.

In 2021, Trachtenberg made bombshell allegations towards “Buffy” creator and “Avengers” director Joss Whedon, then 55, claiming he was bodily abusive throughout filming and that there was a “rule” in place prohibiting him from being alone in a room along with her on set, she wrote in a cryptic Instagram put up on the time.

Whedon later denied the allegations in an interview with New York Journal.

On her birthday final Oct. 11, Trachtenberg posted a glamor shot on her Instagram with the caption “39 and I’m feeling fiiiiiine,” which garnered greater than 32,000 likes.

Upon information of her demise, former co-stars flooded social media with an outpouring of help for the younger actress, together with Rosie O’Donnell, who vaguely hinted Trachtenberg had “struggled” lately.

Ed Westwick –– who performed Chuck Bass in “Gossip Woman” –– mourned Trachtenberg’s demise by sharing a photograph of her as her Georgina Sparks character.

“So unhappy to listen to of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg. Sending prayers,” he wrote on his Instagram Story.

Actress Kim Cattrall shared a candy picture of the 2 performing within the 2005 Disney movie “Ice Princess” and wrote, “Relaxation in peace candy Michelle,” accompanied by a damaged coronary heart emoji.

Melissa Gilbert additionally mourned the actress by posting a photograph of them within the 1996 film, “Vacation for Love.”

“Oh Michy…and we lived so shut to at least one one other…..my coronary heart aches for your loved ones and all those that cherished you so…” Gilbert wrote by way of Instagram.

“Heartbreaking. I cherished her very a lot. She struggled the previous few years. I want I might have helped,” O’Donnell, who starred with Trachtenberg in “Harriet the Spy,” informed Us Weekly.

“So very unhappy …horrible information,” Trachtenberg’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” co-star David Boreanaz, 55, wrote on his Instagram story. “RIP and prayers to her and her household,” he added.

Trachtenberg left behind her longtime boyfriend, expertise agent and producer Jay Cohen, who based on a web-based bio is head of movie finance and distribution at Gersh — one of many world’s largest expertise and literary businesses — which signed Trachtenberg in 2014.

The pair have been first linked in 2020, based on Folks. Cohen has two grownup daughters, Rachel and Lili.