Michelle Trachtenberg, who starred as Georgina Sparks on the hit show “Gossip Girl” and as Dawn Summers on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was taken from us too early. She died at the age of 39 on April 16, 2023. Originally ruled as “undetermined,” her death has since been ruled an accident due to complications from diabetes mellitus. As she battled this chronic illness, Martha suffered from acute health challenges, including a liver transplant.
Over the course of the year before her death, Trachtenberg struggled emotionally. Her friends said in that piece that she had been “really really down emotionally” and was very candid about her depression. She went through a challenging time emotionally. On top of that, she was dealing with significant physical health challenges the last several years of her life.
Trachtenberg’s family chose to contest an autopsy after her death. This decision only compounded the pervasive uncertainty surrounding the cause of her death in the first few hours. Forensic and medical evaluations would later reveal diabetes mellitus as a central pre-existing condition. They warned about the risks of complication due to her recent liver transplant.
Her entertainment career began in childhood, gaining recognition for her performances in Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” and the soap opera “All My Children.” She later starred in the film “Harriet the Spy,” alongside Rosie O’Donnell, before achieving further fame in her iconic TV roles.
In the days since her passing, Trachtenberg’s former co-stars took to social media in remembrance of the carefree, warm-hearted woman who brought them joy. Her partial caption and Sarah Michelle Gellar’s tribute are below. She shared a carousel of photos, remembering their unique experiences shooting “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” together.
“Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you.” – Sarah Michelle Gellar
Rosie O’Donnell reflected on their relationship, stating, “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.” Blake Lively remembered Trachtenberg’s vibrant spirit, saying, “She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%.”