Sarah Michelle Gellar Says She Will 'Live for' Michelle Trachtenberg in Touching Tribute toBuffyCostar: 'I Will Always Love You'

Mar. 15, 2025

Sarah Michelle Gellaris mourning the loss ofMichelle Trachtenberg.

On Thursday, Feb. 27, the day afterthe actress was found dead at 39 in her apartment, Gellar, 47, paid tribute to her with a carousel ofphotosfrom their time onBuffy the Vampire Slayertogether.

“Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you,” Gellar wrote to Trachtenberg, quoting fromthe season 5 finale episode ofBuffyin which Buffy sacrifices herself for Dawn. “The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you.” She added “💔💔💔🗝️” to the end of the caption.

She stayed on the show through its finale in 2003, but Gellar sacrificed herself in the season 5 finale — and told her sister, “Dawn, the hardest thing in the world is to live in it. Be brave. Live — for me.”

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Michelle Trachtenberg.Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram

Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram

Trachtenberg was found “unconscious and unresponsive” in her apartment around 8:00 a.m. on Feb. 26, the NYPD confirmed to PEOPLE. She was pronounced dead at the scene and an investigation remains ongoing, but criminality is not suspected, per police.

Michelle Trachtenberg, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Shannen Doherty.Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram

A source told PEOPLE thattheGossip Girlactress was “really down emotionally” and had been dealing with “health issues"over the last year.

“She told friends she was struggling. She was really, really sick and open with those in her circle about how much she was struggling,” the source said.

In the aftermath of her death,several of herBuffycostars have paid tribute to her memory.

David Boreanazwas among the first cast members to react to the news online, writing on his Instagram Stories, “So very sad …horrible news. RIP and prayers to her and her family.”

James Marsters, who played the vampire Spike on the show and shared many scenes with Trachtenberg, said in a statement shared with PEOPLE: “My heart is heavy today. We have lost a beautiful soul.”

“Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny and a very talented person. She died much too young, and leaves behind scores of people who knew and loved her,” he continued. “My heart goes out to her family, who are good people and are suffering the greatest loss anyone could bear. I hope everyone can give them space to heal in this most difficult time. Godspeed Michelle. You are missed.”

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source: people.com