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Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl Actress Michelle Trachtenberg Dies Aged 39

Authore: EllieUpdate:May 16,2025

Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her roles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Gossip Girl," has passed away at the age of 39, as reported by The Post. Her death, discovered by her mother in her New York City apartment near Columbus Circle on Wednesday, is not considered suspicious, according to police sources.

ABC News reported that Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant and may have been dealing with related complications. Authorities believe she died of natural causes, and no foul play is suspected. An autopsy will be conducted to confirm the cause and manner of her death.

Michelle Trachtenberg in November 2023. Photo by Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images.

Trachtenberg's career began at the age of nine with her appearance on the 1990s Nickelodeon show "The Adventures of Pete and Pete." She made her film debut in 1996 with "Harriet the Spy." She gained widespread recognition for playing Dawn Summers, the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar's character Buffy, in the teen drama "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" from 2000 to 2003. She also starred as Jenny in the 2004 teen sex comedy "EuroTrip" and as Casey Carlyle in the 2005 teen sports comedy-drama "Ice Princess."

In more recent years, Trachtenberg portrayed Georgina Sparks in the teen drama series "Gossip Girl," which aired from 2007 to 2012. She reprised this role in the second season of HBO Max's sequel series.

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