Michelle Trachtenberg: Beloved Actress from Buffy and Gossip Girl Dies at 39

The New York Police Department reported that Trachtenberg was found unresponsive in Manhattan, with an investigation currently underway to determine the cause of death, which is not being treated as suspicious.

Michelle Trachtenberg, who achieved fame as a child star in the 1990s and early 2000s, has died at the age of 39, as confirmed by the NYPD to CBS News. Known for her roles as Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the scheming Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl, Trachtenberg's passing comes as a shock to fans and the entertainment industry alike. Authorities responded to an emergency call early Wednesday morning, where they discovered her "unconscious and unresponsive," later pronouncing her dead at the scene. The NYPD stated that the investigation is ongoing, with a medical examiner set to determine the cause of death, although criminality is not suspected. Trachtenberg began her acting career at just three years old on Nickelodeon's The Adventures of Pete & Pete and made her film debut in Harriet the Spy in 1996. Throughout her career, she received several accolades, including a Daytime Emmy nomination for her role in Buffy. She last appeared in Gossip Girl's reboot earlier this year and most recently hosted a true-crime docuseries, Meet, Marry, Murder. In 2021, Trachtenberg publicly accused Buffy creator Joss Whedon of inappropriate behavior, a claim he denies.