Michelle Trachtenberg, who played Buffy’s younger sister Dawn Summers in the beloved series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, as well as Georgina Sparks in the teen drama Gossip Girl, was found dead in her New York apartment at the age of 39. Her family have refused an autopsy on religious grounds.
ADVERTISEMENTThe cause of death of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl star Michelle Trachtenberg will remain undetermined, as Trachtenberg’s family has requested that no autopsy be conducted because of religious reasons.
The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner did not overrule the family’s decision, as no foul play or criminality is suspected.
Trachtenberg, 39, was found unresponsive on Wednesday 26 February in her New York apartment. The actress had recently undergone a liver transplant and may have suffered complications, police sources told ABC News.
A spokesperson for the family issued a statement Wednesday confirming her death. “It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time,” the statement read.
Trachtenberg was known for her roles in films including Harriet the Spy, 17 Again and Mysterious Skin. She became a household name for playing Dawn Summers, the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Buffy in the cult series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, as well as Georgina Sparks in the teen drama Gossip Girl – a role she revived in the 2022 reboot of the show.
Tributes have been paid by other actors in the industry, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, who posted a series of photos with the caption: “Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live … for you.”
Additional sources • ABC News, Deadline
