Gossip Girl and Buffy star Michelle Trachtenberg has sadly died at the age of just 39-years-old, and it was her beloved mother who made the tragic discovery that she had passed away
Michelle Trachtenberg’s heartbroken mum was the one who found that the Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl star had died, and discovered her in bed on Wednesday morning, according to TMZ.
The star sadly passed away months after receiving a liver transplant. Law enforcement officers told TMZ that Lana, Michelle’s mother, entered her daughter’s apartment in Manhattan and sadly found her unresponsive lying on her back in bed.
Lana called the police and paramedics, which was when Michelle was pronounced dead at the scene. Her mother had last seen Michelle just the night before at 10pm, and she had still been out and about with friends.
As well as undergoing a liver transplant, Michelle had also suffered with thyroid problems. TMZ has also speculated that Michelle’s body may have rejected the transplant, which could have caused her death.
In recent months Michelle had been dealing with many cruel comments from trolls due to her appearing thin and gaunt with people leaving spiteful remarks accusing her of hard drug use. She tried to explain that it was nothing to do with narcotics and insisted she was “happy and healthy”.
Michelle’s family have understandably asked for privacy at this time. Former co-stars and colleagues of Michelle’s have been paying tribute to the star.
She played Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl and Dawn Summers in the supernatural series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Chace Crawford from Gossip Girl said: “Michelle was one of a kind. I remember her coming on set for the first time and just absolutely owning it.”
He continued: “She was a force of nature and just so so unapologetically funny and magnetic…remembering those years with a big smile… Just a terrible loss. Love you.”
Blake Lively shared a picture of the two, saying: “Everything she did, she did 200%. She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself.
“Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend. To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday. Hold those you love and have loved dear.”
She added: “The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle. May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
