Michelle Trachtenberg’s Family Opts Against Autopsy Following Actress’s Passing at 39
The cause of death for the former child star remains officially undetermined.
The family of actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 39, has opposed an autopsy, as expressed by New York City’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner on Thursday.
Paramedics arrived and pronounced her dead at the scene.
No foul play has been suspected, and the cause of death is being determined by the New York Medical Examiner, the spokesperson noted.
According to the NYC’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner, Trachtenberg’s family objected to an autopsy. Since there was no indication of criminal activity, the medical examiner’s office respected the family’s wishes, thus limiting their findings.
The manner and cause of her death are both listed as undetermined, and an investigation continues.
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“The family requests privacy during this difficult time,” Trachtenberg’s representative, Gary Mantoosh, conveyed in a statement on Wednesday.
Born on October 11, 1985, in New York City, Trachtenberg began her acting career at a young age, starting in commercials at just 3 years old, as noted in her IMDb biography.
At the age of eight, she secured a recurring role as Nona Mecklenberg on Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Pete & Pete,” which aired from 1994 to 1996.
Trachtenberg later starred in film adaptations of “Harriet the Spy” alongside Rosie O’Donnell, J. Smith-Cameron, and Eartha Kitt, as well as “Inspector Gadget” with Matthew Broderick.
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She is likely best remembered for portraying Dawn Summers, the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character Buffy Summers, in the hit show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” from 2000 to 2003.
The actress also became well-loved for her portrayal of Georgina Sparks in the teen drama “Gossip Girl” from 2007 to 2012, for which she received a Teen Choice Award nomination for TV villain in 2012.
Her TV appearances included roles on “Law & Order,” “Weeds,” “Clarissa Explains It All,” and “All My Children,” plus movies like “EuroTrip,” “Ice Princess,” “The Dive from Clausen’s Pier,” “Beautiful Ohio,” and “Black Christmas.”
Gellar shared her condolences on Instagram following the confirmation of Trachtenberg’s death on February 26.
Blake Lively, who worked with Trachtenberg on “Gossip Girl” as Serena van der Woodsen, also honored her memory in an Instagram story, calling her “electricity” and highlighting her commitment, giving “200 percent” to every endeavor.
Melissa Gilbert, who appeared alongside Trachtenberg in the 1996 film “A Holiday for Love,” expressed in a social media post, “My heart aches for your family and all who loved you.”
The Epoch Times has reached out to the NYC’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner for more information.
Audrey Enjoli and The Associated Press contributed to this report.