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Michelle Trachtenberg died from diabetes complications as cause of death revealed

Home> Entertainment> Celebrity

Updated 07:24 17 Apr 2025 GMT+1Published 23:03 16 Apr 2025 GMT+1

breaking

Michelle Trachtenberg died from diabetes complications as cause of death revealed

Her cause of death has been confirmed

Michael Slavin

Michael Slavin

Michelle Trachtenberg’s cause of death has been revealed to have been due to complications related to diabetes mellitus.

The actor, who died aged 39 earlier this year, was initially thought to be unlikely to receive an official cause of death.

This is due to the fact that her family elected not to have an autopsy for religious reasons.

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Due to the ruling that there was no suspected instance of foul play or criminality, this was not overturned by the medical examiner.

In a report given to ABC News and People Magazine, however, it was confirmed that cause of death was given by the toxicology test results taken following her death.

A spokesperson for the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner further told People that 'toxicology testing can be done without autopsy'.

Following the actor’s death, a statement was released via her reps saying: “It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away.

Michelle Trachtenberg's cause of death has been revealed to have been due to complications with diabetes (J. Meric via Getty Images)
Michelle Trachtenberg's cause of death has been revealed to have been due to complications with diabetes (J. Meric via Getty Images)

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“The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”

The actor’s death at such a young age led to an outpouring of support and mourning from those who knew her, with former co-stars such as Sarah Michelle Gellar and Blake Lively leading tributes.

Trachtenberg's television debut came on Nickelodeon's The Adventures of Pete and Pete, which she starred in at the age of just nine.

Her role as Buffy's sister Dawn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer followed eventually leading to perhaps her most well known role, as Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl.

Lively starred alongside Trachtenberg on Gossip Girl for four years, and gave an emotional tribute on Instagram following her death.

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She said in a post: "Everything she did, she did 200 percent.

Her family had refused an autopsy on the grounds of religious beliefs (Matt Winkelmeyer via Getty Images)
Her family had refused an autopsy on the grounds of religious beliefs (Matt Winkelmeyer via Getty Images)

"She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself.

"Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend.

"To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday.

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"Hold those you love and have loved dear."

She added, mourning her former co-star: "The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle.

"May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire."

Featured Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images

Topics: Michelle Trachtenberg, Blake Lively, TV and Film, Film, Celebrity

Michael Slavin
Michael Slavin

Michael Slavin is LADbible's dedicated specialist Film and TV writer. Following his completion of a Masters in International Journalism at Salford University, he began working for the Warrington Guardian as a reporter. Throughout this he did freelance work about Entertainment for publications such as DiscussingFilm, where he was the Film and TV editor. Now, he is LAD's go to voice on all things Netflix, True Crime, and UK TV, as well as interviewing huge global stars such as Jake Gyllenhaal, Daisy Ridley, and Ben Stiller.

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@michaelslavin98

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