Michelle Trachtenberg’s cause of death ruled ‘undetermined,’ family objects to autopsy
TV star Michelle Trachtenberg’s cause of death has been ruled “undetermined” after her family objected to an autopsy, authorities have said.
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TV star Michelle Trachtenberg’s cause of death was ruled “undetermined” after her family objected to an autopsy, the New York Post reports.
“Under public health law, families may object to autopsy based on religious belief, and provided there is no suspicion of criminality or compelling public health reason to proceed with autopsy, the medical examiner honors the objection,” a representative for the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in New York said.
While the city medical examiner’s office conducted an external examination on the beloved actress, who starred in 1996’s Harriet the Spy, it’s unlikely any further testing will be done.
Both the cause and manner of her death will be listed as “undetermined” on her death certificate.
Trachtenberg was found dead in her New York City apartment at One Columbus Place in Columbus Circle around 8 a.m. on February 26 after going into cardiac arrest, sources previously told The Post. She was 39.
The actress’ mother, Lana Trachtenberg, discovered the body.
The New York Police Department said the Buffy star was “unconscious and unresponsive” when officers and paramedics arrived. She was pronounced dead on the scene.
Police did not investigate the death as suspicious, according to sources. It appears the Gossip Girl star had been quietly dealing with some health issues following a liver transplant.
BLAKE LIVELY BREAKS SILENCE OVER CO-STAR’S DEATH
Blake Lively has led tributes to her former Gossip Girl co-star Michelle Trachtenberg, as chilling new details emerge about the star’s death.
In her lengthy tribute, Lively said the beloved TV star was “a kind person, through and through”.
“She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200 per cent,” Lively wrote on Instagram.
Hinting at the star’s struggles, Lively said Trachtenberg “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 part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes”.
She said the former child star was “fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself”.
In the days leading up to her death, Trachtenberg stunned staff at Sartiano’s restaurant in New York’s SoHo with her frail appearance, according to the Daily Mail.
The star of Buffy the Vampire Slayer could hardly walk down the stairs due to her weakened state, according to observers.
Trachtenberg was found dead by her mother in her luxury apartment in New York’s Columbus Circle area near Central Park.
“Upon arrival, officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive,” police said in a statement.
“Emergency medical services responded to the location and pronounced the victim deceased. Criminality is not suspected. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing.”
The tragic star posted her final Instagram post just a week ago, sharing a throwback image of herself in 2013 at the premiere of Killing Kennedy in Los Angeles.
She captioned it, “I wanted to look like naughty Tinkerbell,” referencing her green dress.
The actress recently underwent a liver transplant after battling alcohol issues, sources told The New York Post, but her official cause of death has yet to be revealed.
ABC News reported that she may have been suffering complications from the surgery.
Trachtenberg, who was born in New York, got her big break aged ten on the film Harriet the Spy.
She later played the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character in the supernatural series Buffy the Vampire Slayer from 2000 to 2003.
In 2021 Trachtenberg made allegations against the show’s creator, Joss Whedon, of inappropriate behaviour on set, saying that he was not allowed to be alone with her, The Times reports.
Whedon vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
DEVASTATED CO-STARS PAY TRIBUTE
As news of Trachtenberg’s shock death emerged, her devastated former co-stars paid tribute.
In a statement to Us Weekly, Rosie O’Donnell, who starred with Trachtenberg in Harriet the Spy, said the loss was “heartbreaking”.
“I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped,” she said.
Kim Cattrall, who was Trachtenberg’s co-star in Ice Princess, also made a brief statement on X.
“This is heartbreaking,” she wrote. So talented, much too young. RIP Sweet Beauty. xo.”
Ed Westwick, who also worked with Trachtenberg on Gossip Girl, posted an image of the actress from the series to his Instagram Stories, captioning it “So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg.”
Fellow Gossip Girl cast member Chace Crawford also paid tribute to his former co-star, describing her as “one of a kind”.
“She was a force of nature and just so so unapologetically funny and magnetic,” he said in a post on Instagram, where she shared photos of the two of them.
David Boreanaz, who worked with Trachtenberg in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, posted on his Instagram Stories: “So very sad … horrible news. RIP and prayers to her and her family.”
TRACHTENBERG PHOTOS SPARKED HEALTH FEARS
Trachtenberg sparked concerns about her health last year when she posted photos with a drastically different appearance.
The beloved TV star defended her looks, however, telling her “haters,” “Explain to me how I look sick.”
She added at the time, “Did you lose a calendar and not realise I’m not 14. I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment.”
However, several fans had pointed out that they were not trying to criticise her appearance but were more so concerned because her hair was thinner and her eyeballs had a yellow tint.
Trachtenberg then responded in a separate post, “I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery I am happy and healthy. Check yourself haters.”
On February 12, she also posted a more current selfie and wrote alongside of it, “Eye of the Tiger.” The snap marks the last known photo of Trachtenberg before her tragic death.
Trachtenberg was in a relationship with talent manager Jay Cohen.
In March 2024, she wrote via Instagram, “Happy Birthday to the man who puts up with me.” It appears they were not married.
Trachtenberg began her acting career at the age of three.
Her first TV series was on the children’s series The Adventures of Pete & Pete from 1991 to 1996.
She also went on to have roles in films like EuroTrip, Ice Princess and 17 Again.
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