The cause of Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor Michelle Trachtenberg’s death will remain undetermined as her family has reportedly declined an autopsy.
According to Deadline, the actor’s family have chosen not to go forward with an autopsy because of religious reasons. As no foul play is suspected, the decision was not overruled by the medical examiner.
The 39-year-old actor was found unresponsive in her New York City apartment on Wednesday by her mother. It has been reported that she had recently undergone a liver transplant.
“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” a statement from the family read. “The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”
Trachtenberg was known for her roles in films including Harriet the Spy, 17 Again, Mysterious Skin and EuroTrip as well as shows such as Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Tributes have been paid by former colleagues and other actors in the industry. Her Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star Sarah Michelle Gellar posted a series of photos on Thursday to remember her. “Michelle, listen to me,” she wrote. “Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live … for you.”
Her Gossip Girl co-star Blake Lively also shared a tribute online. “She was electricity,” Lively wrote on Instagram. “You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%.”
Trachtenberg’s friend Amanda de Cadenet posted a tribute while also detailing that they spoke while she was in hospital. “Seeing your face from the hospital bed when we FaceTimed recently, even though you did not look like you, your sweetness and humor were still alive,” she wrote. “I will not share the details of our conversations over the last 6 months. But you knew that death was a high possibility.” She later edited her post to remove certain details.
