Michelle Trachtenberg Had a Liver Transplant Months Before Death at Age 39

Mar. 15, 2025

Michelle Trachtenbergunderwent a medical procedure beforeshe died at age 39.

Trachtenberg never publicly shared any health conditions. But in January 2024, she did respond to commenters on her Instagram when theysuggested she was unwellafter she shared a selfie to her grid.

“Fun fact. This is my face,” she captioned a follow-up post. “Not malnutrition no problems. Why do you have to hate? Get a calendar.”

Michelle Trachtenberg.Michelle Trachtenberg/Instagram

Michelle Trachtenberg/Instagram

ABC Newsreported her liver transplant may have led to “complications.”

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The NYPD previously confirmed to PEOPLE that officers responded to a 911 call at 1 Columbus Place in New York City, around 8:00 a.m., on Wednesday. “Upon arrival, officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive,” the police said. “EMS responded to the location and pronounced the victim deceased. Criminality is not suspected.”

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Michelle Trachtenberg on ‘Buffy.'.Richard Cartwright/20th Century Fox/Courtesy Everett Collection

Richard Cartwright/20th Century Fox/Courtesy Everett Collection

Trachtenberg began her career as a child actor starring in commercials before moving on to roles in Nickelodeon’sThe Adventures of Pete & PeteandHarriet the Spy,as well as onAll My Children. From there, she took on the role of Dawn Summers, Buffy’s little sister, in the cult classic seriesBuffy the Vampire Slayer.

Elizabeth Rosner

source: people.com