Michelle Trachtenberg’s death was caused by complications from diabetes mellitus, according to the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The confirmation was made public on Wednesday.
The actress, known for her roles in Harriet the Spy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, was found unresponsive in her Manhattan apartment on February 26. Her family had declined an autopsy at the time, and the NYPD determined there was no evidence of foul play.
Trachtenberg began her career as a child actor, first appearing on the Nickelodeon series The Adventures of Pete & Pete. She gained wider recognition at age 10 in the 1996 film Harriet the Spy. As a teenager, she played Dawn Summers on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, joining in Season 5 and staying until the series ended. She also portrayed the villain Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl from 2007 to 2012.
In a tribute, Variety’s chief correspondent Daniel D’Addario noted that Trachtenberg’s death at 39 resonated with millennials who grew up watching her. “She was one of the signature young stars of her generation,” he wrote, highlighting her iconic roles on The Adventures of Pete & Pete, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Gossip Girl.
Trachtenberg’s performances left a lasting impact, offering both depth and complexity to her characters throughout her career.
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