‘Gossip Girl’ star Michelle Trachtenberg dies at 39

MICHELLE Trachtenberg, the former child star and actress known for her roles in Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer has died. She was 39 years old. 

“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” said Gary Mantoosh in a statement, Trachtenberg’s publicist.

“The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time,” he added. 

Trachtenberg was found unconscious inside a Manhattan apartment, and was found when the Police responded to a 911 call. 

The New York Police Department (NYPD) has later identified the woman as Trachtenberg. 

The New York Post, which first broke the news, reported that Trachtenberg recently underwent a liver transplant. Her official cause of death has not been confirmed, but the NYPD stated that foul play is not suspected.

They also said that Trachtenberg was pronounced dead by the Emergency Medical Workers who responded to the scene. 

Condolences poured in the death of Trachtenberg. Some of her co-actors have expressed their sadness over the passing of the actress. 

One of them was Ed Westwick, the actor who played Chuck Bass on “Gossip Girl”. 

“So sad to hear the passing of @michelletrachtenberg. Sending prayers,” Westwick posted on his Instagram story, tagging Trachtenberg’s official account and accompanied by her photo. 

Blake Lively, who played Serena van der Woodsen, also took to social media to express her sadness.

In a long post, she shared a still of a “Gossip Girl” scene, where she and Trachtenberg were both in frame. 

“This is the first day I met Michelle,” said Lively. “She was electricity.”

“The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle,” she added. 

Co-stars of Trachtenberg from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” also gave their condolences. 

In an Instagram post, Alyson Hannigan shared a photo of her and Trachtenberg.

“I am deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing. She brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy. My thoughts are with Michelle’s family and friends,” she said. 

Trachtenberg began her acting career when she was 3 years old. She first appeared on TV commercials before she landed her first television role in 1990s with Nickelodeon series, “The Adventures of Pete & Pete.” 

Her first leading role was in Harriet the Spy, which premiered in 1996. However, her breakthrough came through teen drama roles, including Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl.

It is uncertain what projects Trachtenberg was involved in at the time of her passing, but she remained active on social media. Just last week, she posted photos from past red carpet events, reminiscing about her fashion moments.

“A memory, a magical night in #newyork. I remember feeling like Cinderella,” she wrote on a post. 

“Wishing everyone an ethereal weekend.”