Former child actress Michelle Trachtenberg's troubled final days ended with a tragic discovery at her Manhattan residence.

According to Daily Mail, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl star was found dead Wednesday in her New York City apartment near Columbus Circle by her mother, with police sources indicating recent health complications following a liver transplant.

The actress's death at age 39 came after she had sparked concerns among fans due to troubling social media posts in recent weeks.

Her spokesman confirmed the devastating news to media outlets, requesting privacy for the family during this difficult time. Police have stated no foul play is suspected in her death.

Recent health struggles and final public appearances

Trachtenberg had been battling significant health issues in the period leading up to her death. Sources revealed she had undergone a liver transplant after struggling with alcohol-related problems and may have been experiencing complications.

Her final public appearance occurred at Sartiano's restaurant in SoHo last Thursday night, just days before her passing.

The actress maintained an active social media presence in her final weeks, sharing multiple posts that drew worried responses from followers. Her last Instagram post, shared seven days before her death, featured a throwback photo from the 2013 Killing Kennedy premiere, where she reflected on wanting to channel "naughty Tinkerbell."

Former co-star Rosie O'Donnell shared insight into Trachtenberg's recent struggles. O'Donnell said:

I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.

Career highlights spanning decades

Starting her entertainment career at just three years old, Trachtenberg quickly established herself as a versatile performer. Her breakthrough role came at age 14 when she was cast as Dawn Summers, sister to Sarah Michelle Gellar's titular character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer from 2000 to 2003.

The Brooklyn native later gained further recognition for her portrayal of Georgina Sparks, nicknamed "The Witch of the Upper East Side," in 28 episodes of The CW's hit series Gossip Girl between 2008 and 2012. Her character's popularity led to a return appearance in two episodes of HBO Max's 2023 Gossip Girl reboot.

Most recently, Trachtenberg had focused on producing and serving as executive producer and host of the true-crime docuseries Meet, Marry, Murder for Tubi TV in 2021. Her last major acting roles included voice work for Seth Green's Robot Chicken and the Facebook Watch animated series Human Kind Of in 2018.

Final days marked by social media activity

In the three weeks preceding her death, Trachtenberg shared ten Instagram posts that drew increasing attention from concerned fans. These included recent selfies that prompted followers to express worry about her appearance and health rather than speculating about cosmetic procedures.

Just weeks before her passing, Trachtenberg had posted a loving tribute to her boyfriend, talent agent Jay Cohen, sharing Halloween photos of them dressed as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. She maintained an active online presence until the end, though her posts occasionally sparked concerned reactions from followers.

The actress had also recently made headlines for her response to fan questions about former Gossip Girl co-star Blake Lively's ongoing legal disputes, choosing to focus instead on "real world news" including families affected by Los Angeles fires.

Final farewell to a versatile performer

The entertainment industry has lost a talented performer who began her journey as a child star and successfully transitioned into adult roles over a career spanning more than three decades.

Michelle Trachtenberg's passing at age 39 marks the end of a career that included memorable roles in beloved series like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl.

Police responded to a 911 call at her Columbus Circle residence on Wednesday morning, where they found the actress unresponsive. While an autopsy will determine the exact cause of death, preliminary reports suggest complications following a recent liver transplant may have contributed to her untimely passing.

Her family, friends, and former co-stars continue to share tributes and memories of the actress whose work touched audiences across generations.