Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her characters in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl has died at the age of 39, according to the New York Police Department.
Police sources told ABC News that Trachtenberg was found dead on Wednesday in her New York City apartment just after 8 a.m. local time by her mother. The exact cause of death is not yet known, however, no foul play has been suspected.
According to ABC News, the Gossip Girl actress had recently undergone a liver transplant and might have been experiencing complications. Her family's representatives have confirmed her death in a statement which said, "It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss."
Trachtenberg started her career at the age of three in commercials before starring in the Nickelodeon show The Adventures of Pete & Pete and the soap opera All My Children.
She went on to land her first lead role in a comedy adventure film, Harriet the Spy which also starred Rosie O’Donnell and J Smith-Cameron. Trachtenberg said that the shoot of the film began on her 10th birthday. She said, "There was a lot required of me. I’m extremely grateful for the experience."
J. Smith-Cameron remembered her as “a very charming little girl”. “She was always very warm toward me. I feel very shocked and unsettled to hear of her passing,” she added.
Later, Trachtenberg landed a role in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' as Dawn, the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar from 2000 to 2003.
From 2008 to 2012, the actress starred as Georgina Sparks on 'Gossip Girl'. She was nominated as the choice TV villain at the Teen Choice Award in 2012 for her role.
Speaking to Seventeen in 2009 about her 'Gossip Girl' character, she said, "It's kind of easy to be evil when you're saying evil things."
She added, "It's definitely a lot more fun than playing the good girl. I love the reaction you get. I never understood why some actors don't want to play villains or evil characters."
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