One of the neighbours of late actor Michelle Trachtenberg has made an admission about the actor’s final days.
Trachtenberg, who was best known for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, was found dead in her New York home last week.
She was just 39 at the time of her death.
A cause of death is very unlikely to be determined in this case, as the family decided not to go through with an autopsy for religious reasons.
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Police have confirmed that they are not treating Trachtenberg’s death as suspicious, and so a medical examiner did not overturn the family’s decision.
Her official cause of death will be listed as ‘undetermined’ as a result.
The actor received a liver transplant in the months leading up to her death, though this has not been confirmed to be linked to her death whatsoever.
It was brought up by an anonymous friend who spoke to US Weekly.
They said: “She was very open with those close to her about having the transplant, but she never went into detail.”
They said she had been sick prior to her death but did not give specifics, and it has not yet been independently verified due to the claims being made anonymously.
Another anonymous friend said: “The last time I saw her, something felt off... You could sense something was going on.”
Other insights were offered into her last few years by her Harriet the Spy co-star Rosie O’Donnell, who said in a statement issued following her death: “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.” O’Donnell said it was ‘heartbreaking’ to hear about her death.
In early 2024, several fans had commented on pictures of Trachtenberg, speculating regarding her health.
The actor responded to this rebutting these claims on Instagram, saying she was ‘happy and healthy’.
She added: “Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14. I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment.”
The actress’ death lead to numerous tributes from co-stars and fans.
Saturday Night Live star Kenan Thompson took to Instagram to share a tribute to the star, saying: “Our first Nick movie star has departed us!! She was my friend and now she rests!! Check on your people!!!”
In addition to this, Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar paid an emotional tribute to her on screen sister Trachtenberg.
She posted pictures of the pair on Instagram with an emotional caption referencing a line from the show, saying: “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.”
Blake Lively, Trachtenberg’s Gossip Girl co-star, also paid tribute in a photo posted to social media.
She posted a caption saying: “Everything she did, she did 200 percent.
"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. Hold those you love and have loved dear.”
She went on to finally add: “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."
Topics: Michelle Trachtenberg, Health, Social Media, Film, TV and Film, Celebrity
Michael Slavin