Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for her roles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, died from complications related to diabetes, the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed on Wednesday.
Trachtenberg, 39, was found dead in her New York City apartment in February. Her sudden passing stunned fans and the entertainment industry alike, many of whom were unaware that the actress had been battling health issues behind the scenes.
According to a source who spoke with NBC New York, Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant. While it remains unclear what led to the transplant, authorities confirmed that no foul play was suspected at the time of her death.
Trachtenberg rose to fame playing Dawn Summers, the younger sister of Buffy, in the cult-favorite series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She appeared in more than 60 episodes from 2000 to 2003, becoming a staple in the show’s later seasons. 20th Century Fox Television, which produced the series, honored her legacy in a statement, calling her portrayal of Dawn “unforgettable” and “a beacon for a generation of television fans.”
In addition to her iconic Buffy role, Trachtenberg earned a new wave of fans with her portrayal of Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl. She appeared in 28 episodes from 2008 to 2012, playing a mischievous and manipulative character who stirred drama among the show’s core cast.
