Case "unsolved"

Trachtenberg’s family prevents an autopsy

Michelle Trachtenberg was only 39 years old. The case has been classified as "unsolved". US media reported that the actress's family refused to allow an autopsy.(Bild: APA/Rich Fury/Invision/AP)

The cause of Michelle Trachtenberg's death remains unclear. The New York coroner's office told the German Press Agency that the case had been classified as "unexplained". Several US media outlets reported that the coroners had been prevented from examining the body because Trachtenberg's family had not authorized an autopsy.

The 39-year-old was found dead in her apartment in the Manhattan district. However, the police do not believe that foul play was involved.

"Buffy" and "Gossip Girl"
Trachtenberg celebrated her breakthrough in the early 2000s with the cult series "Buffy - Under the Spell of Demons". Later, she was particularly successful with her role in the series "Gossip Girl".

Michelle Trachtenberg (front row, far right) with the stars of "Buffy - Under the Spell of Demons"(Bild: Everett Collection / picturedesk.com)

Both in the original series and in a later remake, she played the conniving party girl Georgina Sparks, former girlfriend of Serena van der Woodsen, played by Blake Lively.

"Deeply sensitive and good person"
Former companions of Trachtenberg reacted to the news with sadness and dismay. "The world has lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle," wrote Hollywood actress Blake Lively (37), who appeared alongside Trachtenberg in front of the camera for "Gossip Girl", in an Instagram story. "May her work and her big heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire."

Actress Kim Cattrall (68) described the news of Trachtenberg's death as "heartbreaking" on X.