Michelle Trachtenberg’s friend revealed that the actress ‘knew that death was a high possibility’ before her tragic passing at age 39 on Wednesday.
The former Gossip Girl star was discovered unresponsive in her New York City apartment close to Columbus Circle, with her mother finding her at just past 8 a.m. local time.
Recent reports suggest that Trachtenberg had received a liver transplant not long ago due to struggles with alcohol-related health problems and may have been facing complications.
While the official cause of death remains unknown, photographer Amanda de Cadenet shed light on her final days in a since-edited Instagram comment.
de Cadenet shared a throwback photo of the actress along with a heartfelt message, recalling their past interaction and a recent FaceTime conversation where she saw Trachtenberg’s face from the hospital bed.
‘Even though you did not look like you, your sweetness and humor were still alive,’ she continued, adding, ‘You knew that death was a high possibility, and I am only sorry that the outcome was not a better one.’
Michelle Trachtenberg ’s friend revealed that the actress ‘knew that death was a high possibility’ before her tragic passing at age 39 on Wednesday; (pictured 2023)
While the official cause of death remains unknown, photographer Amanda de Cadenet shed light on her final days in a since-edited Instagram comment; (de Cadenet pictured 2023)
‘Even though you did not look like you, your sweetness and humor were still alive,’ she wrote in a since-edited post, adding, ‘You knew that death was a high possibility, and I am only sorry that the outcome was not a better one’
She signed off, ‘Wishing you a peaceful transition sweet friend and may your spirit finally rest.’
Meanwhile a restaurant worker revealed to DailyMail.com that Trachtenberg was so sick during her final outing that she could barely walk down a flight of restaurant stairs.
Trachtenberg died of natural causes and may have suffered complications following a liver transplant, police sources told ABC News.
Police told DailyMail.com that there is no foul play suspected in her death.
The star’s gaunt appearance stunned staff at Sartiano’s restaurant in SoHo, New York.
It was Thursday February 20th, less than a week before the tragic Gossip Girl star was found dead by her mother in her Manhattan apartment.
‘She looked really unwell, just like very sickly,’ a worker said on Wednesday, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
‘She was thin, like tiny, she couldn’t walk down the stairs. She was not in a great mood, it wasn’t the best impression.’
Michelle Trachtenberg was ‘struggling’ and ‘really sick’ prior to her shock death at 39, according to latest reports; Seen in an Instagram photo on January 26
‘She was really, really sick and open with those in her circle about how much she was struggling,’ the insider added, stating she looked ‘pale, gaunt’ and ‘very thin’; pictured February 9, 2024
Meanwhile a restaurant worker revealed to DailyMail.com that Trachtenberg was so sick during her final outing that she could barely walk down a flight of restaurant stairs; seen February 12
‘It’s spooky because she was in here just last week on Thursday night,’ the worker added.
‘We only just found out about (her death) a few hours ago and it’s really sad. She was just with one other person, a woman who was really nice.’
Restaurant owner Scott Sartiano issued a moving tribute to the star on Wednesday evening, less than a week after she was last seen at the downtown hotspot with one other woman.
‘Many years of happy memories,’ Sartiano wrote alongside a picture of he and Trachtenberg together.
‘Rest in Peace Michelle.’ Sartiano added a broken heart emoji alongside the photo and caption.
While police are yet to confirm her cause of death, sources say Trachtenberg died of natural causes.
She recently underwent a liver transplant, friends of the star told TMZ.
Her mother Lana discovered her body in her $7,500-a-month apartment in Columbus Circle on Wednesday at 8am.
NYPD officials said an autopsy would be performed.
A spokesperson said: ‘On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at approximately 0801 hours, police responded to a 911 call of an aided individual at 1 Columbus Place, within the confines of the Midtown North Precinct,’ police said in a statement.
‘Upon arrival, officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive. EMS responded to the location and pronounced the victim deceased.
In January 2024, she slammed speculation that she was in poor health after some of her followers expressed worry over her seemingly ‘thinning hair’ and ‘yellow eyes’
She also reminded the woman that she was 38 not 14 anymore, before inquiring in what way she looked unwell
The Gossip Girl star was found dead by her mother on Wednesday morning in her New York City apartment. Trachtenberg died of natural causes and may have suffered complications following a liver transplant; seen in 2015
Police told DailyMail.com that there is no foul play suspected in her death; seen in 2010
‘Criminality is not suspected. The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing.’
Last year, Trachtenberg took to Instagram to shoot down speculation about her gaunt appearance.
She denied rumors she had undergone cosmetic surgery and added that she was ‘happy and healthy.’
Trachtenberg’s final post, shared on Instagram earlier this month, saw the actress look frail while posing for a selfie in front of a hedge.
Patients like Trachtenberg may receive a liver transplant after damaging the vital organ with excessive drinking.
Alcoholics who have been given a transplant must abstain from drinking afterwards.
But liver transplants can also cause potentially deadly complications even for people who stick to the rules afterwards.
As is the case with any other transplant, organ recipients must take powerful immunosuppressant drugs every day for the rest of their lives to stop their body rejecting the new organ.
Trachtenberg played fan favorite villain Georgina Sparks in the original Gossip Girl series between 2008 and 2012.
Her former Gossip Girl costar Blake Lively shared a touching tribute to her Instagram Stories, calling Trachtenberg ‘fiercely loyal,’ ‘kind,’ and ‘deeply sensitive’ following her death.
Her breakout role came as Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl
Trachtenberg pictured with her former Gossip Girl costar Blake Lively
Lively shared a touching tribute to her Instagram Stories, calling Trachtenberg ‘fiercely loyal,’ ‘kind,’ and ‘deeply sensitive’
Trachtenberg also appeared in 66 episodes of Buffy The Vampire Slayer; seen in 2003
Trachtenberg was a child actress who began her career aged just three in Nickelodeon show The Adventures of Pete & Pete.
Her first big movie role was a child sleuth in 1996’s Harriet the Spy.
The actress became a sci-fi favorite after joining TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 2000 as Buffy’s sister.
She had been in talks to appear in a hotly-anticipated reboot at the time of her death.
