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Back in February, we reported on the tragic news that Michelle Trachtenberg had died.
The beloved actress rose to fame as a child as the iconic titular character in Harriet The Spy.
She later starred as Dawn Summers on Buffy The Vampire Slayer and portrayed the devilish recurring antagonist Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl.
The actress who helped define an entire generation passed away unexpectedly at the age of 39.
Michelle Trachtenberg has died at 39
At around 8 AM on Wednesday, February 26, Trachtenberg’s mother found her daughter, reports The New York Post.
Trachtenberg was at One Columbus Place, a Park Slope luxury apartment complex.
Authorities did not regard the death as suspicious.
Trachtenberg helped to define the Millennial generation, appearing on television and film across the course of her own childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. A
nd thus keeping pace with others of her generation.
Harriet The Spy is a ’90s classic. She starred on about half of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. And she was one of Gossip Girl‘s best antagonists. (Trachtenberg even reprised her role for the reboot!)
In fact, she has a sprawling filmography. One notable role was in the coming-of-age film, Mysterious Skin. Not a happy story, but it’s an excellent movie.
What was Michelle Trachtenberg’s cause of death?
We now know that Trachtenberg’s death was the result of complications from diabetes. It seems that Michelle made an effort to keep her health struggles a secret in her final years.
However, the 39-year-old actress had alarmed some of her own fans in recent months. Over the past year, really.
Some of her selfies had shown Trachtenberg appearing both gaunt and frail.
It happened enough that many fans no longer believed that it was merely lighting or a weird angle.
When fans left concerned comments under her photos, Trachtenberg clapped back at people she perceived to be “haters” and trolls.
“Explain to me how I look sick,” she challenged her followers.
She also clapped back at plastic surgery rumors.
“Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14. I’m 38,” Trachtenberg wrote at the time. “How sad for you to leave such a comment.”
There was one other health detail
Though we do not know the reason for it or the precise timeline, Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant.
We would be irresponsible in claiming that this was a factor in her death. But many are assuming that it could have some connection to her tragic death, given that it is the only known health factor in recent years.
Several doctors who have commented on the situation have noted that diabetes can increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Our hearts go out to her loved ones who are grieving her at this time. We hope they know that millions are mourning in their own way as they continue to pay tribute to this beloved star whose life was tragically cut short.
