An official update from the New York City medical examiner’s office sheds light on what may have contributed to the sudden death of the “Gossip Girl” star.
Nearly two months after actress Michelle Trachtenberg was found dead in a New York City apartment, officials have confirmed the cause of her death. The confirmation has drawn widespread reaction online, especially from those familiar with the condition involved.
On Wednesday, April 16, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner confirmed that Michelle, 39, died due to complications from diabetes mellitus. Her death was ruled natural.
A spokesperson for the office stated that the conclusion was reached after reviewing toxicology results, adding, “toxicology testing can be done without autopsy.”
The confirmation quickly sparked reactions on social media. One netizen expressed disbelief, “Wow! Diabetes so young.” A second wrote, “See this is scary…her having money for medications n things for her diabetes…what complications could there have been…I would like to know bcuz I am a diabetic myself… [sic]”
Another expressed doubt, “That does not sound right; she’s way too young to be dying from diabetes complications. Diabetes is a blood disease and health does not decline until patients are overweight and older — uncontrolled diabetics have heart attacks and strokes, heartkidneys [sic] fail, etc.”
Some speculated about the circumstances. “Ozempic cover up probably,” one skeptic remarked.
Others reflected on the emotional weight of the news. “Gone too soon😔RIP,” a netizen typed. “This is so incredibly sad,” one person shared, while another stated, “So sad… definitely could have been prevented 😕.”
A different commenter expressed deep personal grief, “I’m still absolutely gutted over her death. It’s really hard to comprehend that she’s gone forever 💔 😪.”
Others emphasized the severity of the condition. Someone else posted, “Diabetes at a young age this is more serious than we ever fought. Prayers to the family of Michelle Trachtenberg once again.”
As previously reported, Michelle was found unconscious and unresponsive on Wednesday morning, February 26. Her mother, Lana Trachtenberg, who had seen her just a day earlier, shared details about her condition before her passing.
According to sources, Lana last saw her daughter alive at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25, noting that she appeared active despite her health struggles. Just days earlier, on the previous Thursday night, the actress had also been out with friends at Sartiano’s in New York City.
The actress’s sudden death has shocked her family. Tragically, Lana was also the one to discover Michelle’s body in bed. She was lying on her back and unresponsive.
Lana alerted the police and paramedics, who arrived at the scene in her Manhattan apartment and confirmed Michelle’s passing. Michelle had undergone a liver transplant months prior.
Sources have shared that complications with her liver and thyroid, arising from the transplant, may have played a role in her death. They added that Michelle’s body may have rejected the transplant, potentially contributing to her demise. At the time, the official cause of death had not yet been confirmed.
Michelle Trachtenberg never spoke of her health issues and had hit back at some online users who suggested she was unwell. In January 2024, she posted a selfie on Instagram and captioned it, “Fun fact. This is my face. Not malnutrition no problems. Why do you have you hate? Get a calendar [sic].”
Before this post, she had also shared a selfie, and in the captions directed her words at users who kept commenting on her outlook. She wrote, “I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery I am happy and healthy. Check yourself haters.”
Now, after her demise, Michelle’s family has asked for privacy as they mourn their loved one. British photographer and media personality, Amanda de Cadenet, who was Michelle’s friend, is devastated by her death.
She penned an emotional tribute on Instagram, “Sweetheart Michelle. ❤️What sad news this morning to wake up to. It feels weird and awful to be posting this, but I want to acknowledge your death because I cared about you.”
Amanda appreciated the connection she had with Michelle and shared gratitude for their recent interactions. She remembered the actress as the vibrant young woman she first met when capturing a memorable photo of her, which she posted alongside her caption.
Amanda concluded, “Wishing you a peaceful transition sweet friend and may your spirit finally rest. 🫶.” Just like Michelle, Amanda started her career at a young age. Today, she is a thriving entrepreneur, host, photographer and advocate.
Michelle began her career in entertainment as a child, first appearing in commercials before landing roles on Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” and the soap opera “All My Children.”
She gained wider recognition as the lead in “Harriet the Spy” before securing her most iconic role as Dawn Summers in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
Following her time on the horror series, Michelle became known for her portrayal of Georgina Sparks in “Gossip Girl,” a role she played throughout the show’s run. She later reprised the character in 2023 for two episodes of the reboot, marking her final onscreen appearance.
On Thanksgiving in 2020, Michelle made a gratitude post, reflecting on her personal and professional life.
She noted, “I’m so very grateful for my 30+ year career, my mom, my sister. As we get ready for Thanksgiving, and most can’t be with their family or friends due to the global pandemic. My hope is, that you can still find something to be grateful for. And perhaps: it’s just being alive during these wild times. ❤️💋.”
Now, many A-listers have taken to social media to celebrate the life of Michelle and speak of her impact through her work in the entertainment industry. Her ex-boyfriend has also opened up about her loss, posting a heartfelt tribute on social media.
Yesterday, on February 26, 2025, Hollywood star Shawn Ashmore took to Instagram to dedicate a tribute post to the late and great Michelle. The two had once dated.
In his post, Shawn reflected on their years together, sharing his grief and condolences with her loved ones. “Incredibly sad to hear about Michelle’s passing,” Shawn wrote.
“She was an incredible person, and I will always remember the years we spent together fondly. She was loving, quirky, and would never pass up a ‘law & order: SVU’ marathon 🙂 My condolences to her mother, Lana, and sister, Irene! This is an incredible loss!” he concluded.
Along with his heartfelt message, Shawn posted a nostalgic throwback photo of himself and Michelle from their younger years. The image captures the two at a red carpet event, with the “Gossip Girl” star looking radiant in a white dress accessorized with layered necklaces.
Meanwhile, Shawn sported a relaxed yet stylish black blazer over a gray shirt. The duo exuded warmth and familiarity, and their close stance in the image reflects a bond that clearly meant a lot to him.
The “Cadet Kelly” actor is not the only person who has honored Michelle’s life with a dedication post, as many other stars have spoken out about her death.
The cast of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is remembering Michelle, who was a part of the show’s cast. They have honored her talent, humor, and presence on set, sharing heartfelt messages on social media that reflect on their time together and the deep bond they formed during the show.
James Marsters, who played Spike in the series, expressed his grief on Instagram over Michelle’s passing. He described her as a “beautiful soul,” “fiercely intelligent” and “howlingly funny.” He added, “She died much too young, and leaves behind scores of people who knew and loved her.”
James also expressed his sympathy for Michelle’s family, calling them “good people” facing an unimaginable loss. He urged others to respect their privacy during this difficult time and ended his tribute with a somber farewell, “Godspeed, Michelle. You are missed.”
Alyson Hannigan, known for her role as Willow Rosenberg in the classic TV series, reflected on Michelle’s presence on the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” set. Sharing her thoughts on Instagram, she wrote, “She brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy. My thoughts are with Michelle’s family and friends.”
David Boreanaz, who portrayed Angel in the TV show, shared a brief but heartfelt message on his Instagram Story, calling the news “very sad” and “horrible.”
Emma Caulfield, who played Anya Jenkins in the iconic series, described Michelle as a”bright light” and the “little sister” of their “Buffy” family in an emotional Instagram Story. “Rest in peace, lovely Mish Mish. You were loved,” she wrote.
In a follow-up post, Emma simply added, “Sleep well, Michelle.” The message included a photo of her with Michelle and two other women, all elegantly dressed and smiling.
As tributes continue to pour in, new details have emerged about Michelle’s passing, which happened on Wednesday, February 26. Her longtime boyfriend, talent agent Jay Cohen, was seen at her family’s home in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Jay, visibly emotional, answered the door and told the publication that the family would “not be commenting on the tragedy.” His presence suggests that he and Michelle were still together at the time of her death, as they were first linked in 2020.
Just days before her passing, Michelle shared her final Instagram post on February 18. Alongside a throwback photo in a green dress, she captioned, “I wanted to look like naughty #tinkerbell 💚 #throwback ⚡️.”
The post has since been filled with messages from fans mourning her loss.
