The official cause of death for actress Michelle Trachtenberg has been determined as complications arising from diabetes mellitus, according to a statement released by the New York City Office of the Medical Examiner.
Initially, her passing was recorded as undetermined. This decision stemmed from a request made by her family who declined an autopsy. Law enforcement officials confirmed there were no indications of foul play, prompting the medical examiner’s office to respect this preference.
Trachtenberg, widely recognized for her roles in beloved television series and films such as “Harriet the Spy,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” and “Gossip Girl,” passed away on February 26th in Manhattan at the age of 39.
Responding to a 911 call early that morning, police discovered an unresponsive woman within a Manhattan apartment. She was subsequently identified as Trachtenberg. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel were dispatched and confirmed her death at the scene.
Law enforcement sources indicated she had recently experienced a medical issue, suggesting her death resulted from natural causes. The Office of the Medical Examiner corroborated this assessment, formally ruling her manner of death as natural.
Trachtenberg’s career began in the 1990s with appearances on Nickelodeon. She initially gained recognition for her role in “The Adventures of Pete & Pete.”
Her early success continued with a starring role in Nickelodeon’s inaugural feature film, “Harriet the Spy” (1996), alongside Rosie O’Donnell.
Throughout her career, Trachtenberg demonstrated versatility, appearing in numerous projects including:
- “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (2000) as Dawn Summers
- “EuroTrip”
- “Six Feet Under”
- “Ice Princess”
- “Gossip Girl” as Georgina Sparks
As stated by a spokesperson for the medical examiner’s office, “Her death was directly attributed to complications from diabetes.
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