Michelle Trachtenberg died in February 2025 at the age of 39.
“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” a rep for the actress told Us Weekly in a statement. “The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”
Trachtenberg is survived by parents Michael and Lana, as well as her sister, Irene, and her boyfriend, talent agent Jay Cohen.
Trachtenberg had risen to fame in 1996’s Harriet the Spy, a decade before landing the role of Georgina Sparks on The CW’s Gossip Girl. (She also was known for her roles in Ice Princess, 17 Again and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)
“So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg,” Ed Westwick, who played Chuck Bass on Gossip Girl, wrote via Instagram shortly after her passing. “Sending prayers.”
Keep scrolling for everything to know so far about Trachtenberg’s death:
When Did Michelle Trachtenberg Die?
Us confirmed on February 26, 2025, that Trachtenberg was found unconscious inside her New York City apartment that morning by her mother.
Has a Cause of Death Been Revealed?
An official cause of death has not been confirmed, with a police source telling Us that it’s “not yet apparent.”
Several hours after Lana discovered Trachtenberg’s body, another insider revealed that a medical examiner left the premises. Nothing was loaded into the vehicle, which drove off followed by a car belonging to two police officers.
“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,’” local law enforcement officers told the Daily Mail 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.”
Hollywood is mourning the loss of actress Michelle Trachtenberg. The Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum was found unconscious inside of her Midtown West apartment in New York City, police sources confirmed to Us Weekly on Wednesday, February 26. She was 39 years old. “It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle […]
She Previously Had a Liver Transplant
Multiple sources also confirmed to Us that Trachtenberg had a liver transplant ahead of her death. It is not known whether the organ transplant contributed to her passing.
What Were Michelle Trachtenberg’s Final Months Like?
Several of her neighbors spoke to Us about their experiences with the actress.
“Michelle always seemed happy, I never noticed anything off about her at all,” Rafael Williams, who lived above Trachtenberg, exclusively told Us. “I didn’t know her personally, but she always made a point to say ‘Hi’ in the elevator. It’s shocking to me because she didn’t seem to have a problem in the world. I just hope her family is OK.”
Neighbor Ariana Rodriguez also reflected on her own relationship with Trachtenberg.
“She wasn’t loud and smiled at everyone in the hallways,” Rodriguez recalled. “I saw her with her boyfriend a few times and they were always walking either hand-in-hand or with his arm around her. I’m so sad that I won’t be seeing her anymore in the building. She always said ‘Hi’ to me.”
