Michelle Trachtenberg died at the age of 39. Credit: David Livingston / Getty
Authorities have revealed Michelle Trachtenberg’s cause of death.
The beloved actress first rose to fame as a child star in Harriet the Spy.
She later gained recognition for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl.
On the morning of February 26, officials found her unresponsive in her apartment near Columbus Circle in Manhattan.
Emergency services arrived just after 8:00 AM and pronounced Michelle Trachtenberg dead at the scene.
Authorities confirmed that “criminality was not suspected.”
The medical examiner honored the family’s wishes and did not perform an autopsy, as there were no signs of foul play.
She was 39.
The New York City Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed she died from natural causes due to diabetes complications.
The family declined an autopsy for religious reasons.
Toxicology tests clarified the cause of death.
The cause was initially unclear.
Toxicology results led the examiner to rule it a natural death.
A family representative said, “The family requests privacy. There are no further details at this time.”
Born in New York City, Trachtenberg started her career at age three in TV commercials.
She played Lily Montgomery in All My Children.
She rose to fame in the mid-90s as Harriet in Harriet the Spy, Nickelodeon’s first feature film.
Her role as Harriet earned acclaim.
She called Rosie O’Donnell her biggest supporter on set.
“There was a lot required of me. I’m extremely grateful for the experience,” she told Entertainment Tonight in 2001.
Her charm and comedic timing fit perfectly with ’90s Nickelodeon.
She starred in shows like The Adventures of Pete & Pete.
She earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for hosting Truth or Scare.
In 2000, she joined Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Dawn Summers, Buffy’s younger sister.
She played the role until the show ended in 2003.
Some fans criticized the character’s angst.
Trachtenberg responded confidently:
“Most haters don’t say things in person,” she told Entertainment Weekly.
“I rarely get ‘She ruined the show.’
I do get ‘She was so whiny!’ Hi, were you a teenager?”
James Marsters, her Buffy co-star, paid tribute on Instagram.
“My heart is heavy today.
We lost a beautiful soul.
Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and very talented.”
In 2004, she starred in the cult comedy EuroTrip.
In 2005, she played a lead role in Disney’s Ice Princess with Kim Cattrall.
Cattrall paid tribute, writing, “Rest in peace sweet Michelle,” with a photo from the film.
From 2008 to 2012, she played Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl.
Georgina was a chaotic, manipulative force on the Upper East Side.
“It’s easy to be evil when saying evil things,” she told Seventeen in 2009.
“Playing the villain is more fun than being the good girl.
I love the reaction you get.
I never understood why actors avoid playing villains.”
Her performance earned her a 2012 Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice TV Villain.
She returned as Georgina in Max’s Gossip Girl sequel in 2023.
In later years, she appeared on House, Weeds, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Sleepy Hollow.
She also voiced characters on Robot Chicken.
Days before her death, she posted nostalgic red carpet photos on social media.
In one caption, she wrote,
“A memory, a magical night in #newyork.
I remember feeling like Cinderella.
Wishing everyone an ethereal weekend.”
Rosie O’Donnell called her death “heartbreaking” and said, “I loved her very much.”
Nickelodeon alums Melissa Joan Hart and Kenan Thompson also shared condolences.
Our thoughts remain with Trachtenberg’s family and loved ones.
