UPDATE: 4/16/25, 5:15 p.m. ET — Michelle Trachtenberg’s cause of death is no longer undetermined. The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner confirmed that the sudden death was a result of complications of diabetes mellitus, People reports. Her death was deemed natural.
Original story:
Michelle Trachtenberg‘s official cause of death was listed as “undetermined” on Thursday, February 27, because her family objected to an autopsy, the city medical examiner’s office told the New York Post.
Us Weekly confirmed on Wednesday, February 26, that the actress died at age 39. Police sources told Us at the time that her death was not being investigated as suspicious.
Before her death, Trachtenberg slammed criticism from “haters” who questioned her appearance. She shared a photo with Alexa PenaVega on Instagram in January 2024, to which a fan wrote back, “Michelle u look sick. R u ok?”
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Trachtenberg defended her looks in multiple social media comments.
“Explain to me how I look sick. Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14. I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment,” she wrote before elaborating in a separate post, “I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery I am happy and healthy. Check yourself haters.”
Trachtenberg rose to fame for her role in the 1996 movie Harriet the Spy. She subsequently joined the casts of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl. Trachtenberg continued to book TV roles on shows such as Mercy, Weeds, Criminal Minds, Meet, Marry, Murder and she reprised the role of Georgina Sparks in the 2022 Gossip Girl reboot.
The actress stayed close to her former costars, praising their success over the years.
“Leighton [Meester] and I actually had dinner not too long ago, and she’s also a mother,” Trachtenberg told Us and other reporters at an event in February 2020. “I think it’s just amazing what they’ve all accomplished.”
Trachtenberg was also asked about the decision to return as Georgina, joking, “I’m old. The jig is up.” Her reservations about reprising the role didn’t stop Trachtenberg from thinking of where her character would be now.
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“Oh, f–king killing people. You wouldn’t even find the bodies,” she quipped. “You know [how] you don’t know where Jimmy Hoffa is? You can’t find Georgina’s bodies.”
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While reflecting on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer in a separate interview, Trachtenberg revealed to Entertainment Tonight in 2021 that she was still in touch with former costar Sarah Michelle Gellar.
“Actually, I was texting with Sarah the other day. And I was like, ‘Oh, man. I should have taken a whole bunch of stuff [from set],’” she joked. “She was like, ‘You don’t leave your house.’ Which is arguably accurate via the COVID.”
Trachtenberg added: “I’ve known Sarah for, oh my god, 30 years. Something to that effect, just shy. And I rubbed her belly at her baby shower when [her daughter] Miss Charlotte was in there. And now she could practically be in college right now. I don’t know.”
