Gossip Girl actress Michelle Trachtenberg has died at the age of 39 in New York City following a liver transplant.
Soon after news broke on Wednesday morning, heartbreaking tributes began to come in through social media.
One of the first was from her Gossip Girl costar Ed Westwick who played Chuck Bass on the popular show.
‘So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg sending prayers,’ the actor wrote on his Insta Stories as he added a prayer emoji and a white heart.
He also shared an image of Trachtenberg playing Georgina on the TV series.
Michelle’s EuroTrip costar Travis Wester also shared a message: ‘I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Michelle Trachtenberg. In the time I knew her, she was a brilliant presence on set, her approach to comedy was fearless, and personally she was kind, generous, and caring. I pray that her memory will be a blessing.’
Gossip Girl actress Michelle Trachtenberg has died at the age of 39 in New York City following a liver transplant. Soon after news broke on Wednesday morning, heartbreaking tributes began to come in through social media. Seen in 2020
One of the first was from her Gossip Girl costar Ed Westwick who played Chuck Bass on the popular show. ‘So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg sending prayers,’ the actor wrote on his Insta Stories
Michelle died of natural causes following a liver transplant, police sources told ABC News.
The star was found dead by her mother on Wednesday in her New York City apartment near Columbus Circle just after 8 am local time.
Police told DailyMail.com that there is no foul play suspected in her death.
Sources told TMZ that the actress had recently undergone a liver transplant after battling alcohol issues.
An autopsy will be carried out by the medical examiner’s office to establish the exact cause of death.
‘On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at approximately 0801 hours, police responded to a 911 call of an aided individual at 1 Columbus Place, within the confines of the Midtown North Precinct,’ police said in a statement.
‘Upon arrival, officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive. EMS responded to the location and pronounced the victim deceased.
‘Criminality is not suspected. The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing.’
Westwick at the K-Wayfashion show during the Milan Fashion Week – Womenswear Fall/Winter 2025/2026 on February 25
Blake Lively and Michelle attends the 2009 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on June 15, 2009 in New York City
Michelle with Sarah Michelle Gellar on the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer
TMZ reported that the actress had enjoyed a final night out with friends on Thursday at Sartiano’s restaurant.
Trachtenberg was best known for her on UPN teen supernatural drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer spanning 2000-2003.
She played Buffy’s younger sister Dawn Summers in 66 episodes of the hit show.
The Brooklyn native also had a recurring role as ‘The Witch of the Upper East Side’ Georgina Sparks in 28 episodes of The CW teen soap Gossip Girl spanning 2008-2012.
She also appeared in the 1996 film Harriet the Spy alongside Rosie O’Donnell.
In recent years Trachtenberg had sparked concern for her health after sharing troubling social media posts in which she looked frail.
