New York City, New York – The cause of death for actress Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her roles in “Gossip Girl” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” will remain a mystery as her family opted against an autopsy, sources have confirmed. Families can choose not to pursue autopsies if there is no suspicion of foul play or for religious reasons. Trachtenberg, aged 39, was discovered “unconscious and unresponsive” at her New York City residence on Wednesday morning, according to the NYPD. Emergency medical services arrived at the scene and pronounced her deceased, stating that there was no indication of criminal activity. As a result, the exact cause of her passing will go unidentified.
Trachtenberg embarked on her acting career at a young age, making her debut in commercials at the tender age of three. She then secured her first television role on the Nickelodeon series “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” in the mid-1990s. By the time she was 10, she had landed a prominent film role in 1996’s “Harriet the Spy,” portraying the title character. Her most notable television role came in the early 2000s when she portrayed Dawn Summers on the teen drama “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” a character she played from the show’s fifth season until its conclusion in 2003.
She gained further recognition for her portrayal of the conniving Georgina Sparks on the popular teen drama “Gossip Girl.” Her character recurred throughout the show’s original run from 2007 to 2012, and she made a brief appearance in the 2022 reboot for two episodes. Additionally, Trachtenberg appeared in films such as “Eurotrip” (2004), “Ice Princess” (2005), and “17 Again” (2009) alongside Zac Efron.
Following Trachtenberg’s unexpected passing at the age of 39, many of her former colleagues, including “Buffy” star Sarah Michelle Gellar, paid heartfelt tributes to her on social media. Gellar expressed her love and sorrow on Instagram, sharing a series of photos featuring the two actresses from their time working together on “Buffy.” Trachtenberg’s death at such a young age has left a void for millennials, as she was a prominent figure among the young stars who shaped their growing-up years. From her deadpan humor in “The Adventure of Pete & Pete” to her emotional depth in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and her chaotic energy in “Gossip Girl,” Trachtenberg’s versatile acting talent had a profound impact on multiple generations of viewers.