Concerns were raised among fans of Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her role in Gossip Girl, after she posted ten times on Instagram over the last three weeks leading up to her untimely death at the age of 39.
Before her unexpected passing, Trachtenberg was notably active on social media platforms.
Her last Instagram entry, made just a week ago, featured a nostalgic image from the premiere of Killing Kennedy at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills on November 4, 2013.
In the caption, she expressed her desire to embody a mischievous version of Tinkerbell, stating, “I wanted to look like naughty #tinkerbell,” alongside a photo of herself on the red carpet.
In the days preceding this post, she shared another older image along with a humorous remark about not succumbing to the “Sunday scaries.”
Her recent posts reflected a sense of nostalgia, including a photograph from the 2011 School of American Ballet Winter Ball and a playful suggestion for those without Valentine’s Day plans to watch her true crime docuseries, Meet, Marry, Murder.
Additionally, she paid a heartfelt tribute to her boyfriend, talent agent Jay Cohen, whom she affectionately referred to as “the man who sits still long enough for” her to “paint his face.”
This post featured a charming image of the couple dressed as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Edward Hyde for Halloween.
While the comments on her posts have since been inundated with messages of condolence and expressions of “rest in peace,” many fans voiced their concerns regarding her health prior to her passing.
On February 8 and February 12, Trachtenberg shared more recent selfies taken in what appeared to be an outdoor patio setting.
On Wednesday, her representative confirmed her death in an official statement.
“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy during this difficult time. No further details are available at this moment,” he stated.
According to police sources reported by ABC News, Trachtenberg was discovered deceased in her New York City apartment near Columbus Circle shortly after 8 a.m. local time by her mother.
It has been reported that the actress recently underwent a liver transplant and may have been facing complications.
Sources informed the New York Post that she is believed to have passed away from natural causes, and authorities are not considering the death suspicious.
Trachtenberg gained prominence for her role as Dawn Summers, the younger sister of Buffy (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar), in 66 episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer from 2000 to 2003.
Additionally, she portrayed Georgina Sparks, known as ‘The Witch of the Upper East Side,’ in Gossip Girl from 2008 to 2012.
In recent years, concerns regarding Trachtenberg’s health were raised after she shared distressing posts on social media that depicted her as looking frail.
In 2023, she reprised her role as the manipulative socialite in two episodes of the second and final season of HBO Max’s Gossip Girl reboot.
Her last significant project was serving as executive producer and host for the 13-episode true-crime docuseries Meet, Marry, Murder, which aired on Tubi TV in 2021.
In 2018, she lent her voice to her friend Seth Green’s animated parody Robot Chicken on Adult Swim, as well as the Facebook Watch animated series Human Kind Of.
Last year, the actress responded to critics who expressed concern about her health and appearance.
The former child star, who has 1.1 million followers on Instagram and Twitter, stated, “Fun fact. This is my face. Not malnutrition, no problems. Why do you have to hate? Get a calendar.”
The controversy began when Michelle posted a photo of herself preparing to have her hair styled at Tracey Cunningham’s Mèche salon in Beverly Hills.
A fan inquired, “Michelle, you look sick. Are you okay?”
Trachtenberg replied, “@cathy_critz, 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.”
The following day, she shared another selfie with a bold caption: “I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery. I am happy and healthy. Check yourself, haters.”
Michelle recently shared two additional selfies, prompting fans to express their concerns not regarding plastic surgery or malnutrition, but specifically about her ‘thinning hair and yellow eyes.’
Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her role in Buffy, has responded to critics who made unkind remarks about her ‘thinning hair’ and ‘yellow eyes.’
“Nobody is discussing plastic surgery; the focus is on your liver potentially failing,” one follower commented.
Another added, “I don’t believe anyone suggested you had plastic surgery. Our concern is genuine. Your eyes appear yellow, your hair is significantly thinning, and you seem unwell.”
Concerns have been expressed regarding the yellow tint of your eyes and the noticeable loss of your hair, as noted by one individual.
Another commenter remarked, “I believe they are genuinely concerned about your well-being.”
A follower stated, “Anyone exhibiting yellow sclera is likely unwell and should consult a physician.”
Trachtenberg commenced her acting journey at the age of three with the Nickelodeon series The Adventures of Pete & Pete, which aired from 1994 to 1996.
In 1997, at the age of 11, she received a Young Artist Award for her role as Maggie in CBS’s Meego.
The actress gained recognition for her roles in the 2004 film EuroTrip and the television series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, which aired from 2000 to 2003. For her performance in the latter, she received a Young Artist Award and garnered three nominations for the Saturn Awards.
Her significant breakthrough came with the character Georgina Sparks in the series Gossip Girl.
Additionally, Trachtenberg earned a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for her hosting duties on the Discovery Kids program Truth or Scare, which ran from 2001 to 2003.
Her filmography also includes notable works such as Mysterious Skin (2004) and Black Christmas (2006).
Furthermore, she played the role of Chloe Payne in the NBC series Mercy, which aired from 2009 to 2010.
