Michelle Trachtenberg, beloved actress known for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, passed away on February 26, 2025, at 39. She was most known for her roles as Georgina Sparks in the show Gossip Girl (2007-2012), Dawn Summers in the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003), and Maggie O’Donnell in the movie 17 Again (2009). Before her sudden death, she had been voice acting in productions such as “Unicorn Boy” and Harriet the Spy” in 2023 and, since then, had seemed to take a break from acting.
Details on Trachtenberg’s Death
The former child actor was found dead in her luxury Manhattan apartment in Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood on the 51st story, after a 911 call, allegedly from Trachtenberg’s mother, where police officers from the 10th Precinct in NYC arrived on the scene. She was reported to be “unconscious and unresponsive” and pronounced dead at the scene, according to the NYPD and Paramedic statement. Police reported her death to be “criminally not suspected” and therefore had no possible suspects for her death.
The autopsy on Trachtenberg was declined by her family, leading to a lack of evidence, with the lack of findings, where the medical examiner’s office honored the family’s objections. A longtime friend provided information to a multitude of news programs that Trachtenberg had had a recent liver transplant before her death, which resulted in her being hospitalized for a period, which resulted in the speculation that her death had to do with the transplant.
Friends and Family Remembrance
Trachtenberg’s passing has left Hollywood and fans in mourning, as friends and former co-stars share heartfelt tributes in her memory.
“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time,” Trachtenberg’s publicist said in a statement provided to the press.
In response to hearing the tragedies about her death, former castmates have added their form of remembrance by taking to social media on Instagram.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Gellar, who played sisters on Buffy the Vampire Slayer with Trachtenberg, posted a gallery of 8 pictures and a sweet message:
“Michelle, listen to me. 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” 💔💔💔🗝
Kim Cattrall
Cattrall, who acted alongside Trachtenberg in Ice Princess (2005) posted a picture of a clip on set with a message of:
“Rest in peace, sweet Michelle💔”
Taylor Momsen
Momsen posted to Instagram a collage of 6 pictures that represented her time with Trachtenberg with a truly heartwarming message stating:
“In shock…When I met this girl 17 years ago I knew we’d be friends..she was smart and sassy, bold and sensitive, funny as f*ck and filled with fire. She was awesome. I’ll miss our late-night calls that no one should hear except us. She was always in my corner and there to support me, whether right or wrong. I will miss you every day, my love! I think we truly understood each other, and I am so grateful to have had a friend like you in my life for so long..You were a true friend to me, which is a rarity in this world, and I can’t believe I won’t hear your voice again..I hope you’re f*cking up heaven for both of us! I love you so much, Michelle; my heart is on the floor. I’m still in shock, but I needed to honor her; she deserves more than this. I grieve with all her fans around the world, and my heart is with her family and loved ones. I have so much to say, but she’s the only one I’d want to say it to. My love to you all xxt”
