Michelle Trachtenberg, an actress famous for her roles in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl,” has passed away at the age of 39.

Trachtenberg was found deceased in her New York City apartment by her mother around 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Reports state the actress recently underwent a liver transplant and possibly experienced complications.

From the New York Post:

The actress underwent a liver transplant within the last year, but her body may have rejected the organ, according to sources, who said she died of natural causes.

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The NYPD confirmed Trachtenberg was found “unconscious and unresponsive” by police and pronounced dead by EMS workers. They responded to the building after a 911 call reporting a woman experiencing cardiac arrest.

Her death is not deemed suspicious and the city medical examiner will determine the cause, cops said.

“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss,” Trachtenberg’s representative, Gary Mantoosh, said in a statement.

Trachtenberg had posted a series of troubling photos in recent months to Instagram, in which she appeared gaunt and frail, prompting some fans to comment about her startling weight loss or ask if she was on drugs.

Last January, Trachtenberg responded to fan concerns, saying she was “happy and healthy” and had never had plastic surgery.

That same month, Trachtenberg posted a selfie, writing “Snake it to make it” in the caption.

Eagle-eyed fans noticed a slight jaundice tint in her eyes, raising worry about the actress’ health. Yellow eyes can be a symptom of liver problems.

Fox News reports:

Trachtenberg began her career in Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Pete and Pete.” In 1996, she made her film debut, playing the title role in “Harriet the Spy.”

The actress moved on to star as Dawn Summers on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” for three years. The series ran from 1997-2003.

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Trachtenberg had met Sarah Michelle Gellar, the show’s lead, while working on “All My Children” in 1994, and the two remained close before the actress joined “Buffy” in its fifth season.

“I had known Sarah since we worked together on ‘All My Children,'” Trachtenberg previously told the BBC. “We worked together for about two and a half years, and we had kept in touch through the years when she moved to Hollywood and began building her career from that point.”

“I kept in touch with Sarah through the years, and because ‘Buffy’ had become my real favorite show, I had always tried to think of ways for me to guest star on the show, and I heard about the call one day. Sarah was always very supportive,” she said.

Trachtenberg gained more fame as Georgina Sparks on “Gossip Girl.” She starred alongside Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Ed Westwick, Chace Crawford and Penn Badgley on the hit drama series.

“Gossip Girl” ran from 2007-2012.

 

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