Actor Michelle Trachtenberg died of complications from diabetes, says NYC medical examiner

Michelle Trachtenberg appears at the premiere of "Defiance" during AFI Fest 2008 in Los Angeles, Nov. 9, 2008. Trachtenberg died as a result of complications from diabetes.

Michelle Trachtenberg appears at the premiere of "Defiance" during AFI Fest 2008 in Los Angeles, Nov. 9, 2008. Trachtenberg died as a result of complications from diabetes. (Matt Sayles, Associated Press)


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NEW YORK — Actor Michelle Trachtenberg died as a result of complications from diabetes, New York City's medical examiner said Wednesday.

The office said in a statement that it amended the cause and manner of death for the 39-year-old New York City native following a review of laboratory test results.

Trachtenberg, who was known for "Gossip Girl," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Harriet the Spy," was found unconscious and unresponsive in her luxury apartment tower in Manhattan in February.

Officials said no foul play was suspected and the medical examiner's office listed her death as "undetermined."

Trachtenberg's family had objected to an autopsy, which the medical examiner's office honored because there was no evidence of criminality.

Her representative didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment Wednesday.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, Taylor Momsen, and Blake Lively were among the celebrities who mourned Trachtenberg's death when it was announced on Feb. 26.

Trachtenberg was 8 years old when she began playing Nona Mecklenberg on Nickelodeon's "The Adventures of Pete and Pete" from 1994 to 1996 and then starred in the title role in the film adaptations of "Harriet the Spy" and "Inspector Gadget," opposite Matthew Broderick.

In 2000, Trachtenberg joined the cast of "Buffy," playing Dawn Summers, the younger sister of the title character played by Gellar between 2000 and 2003.

Trachtenberg went on to recurring roles on "Six Feet Under," "Weeds" and "Gossip Girl," where she played the gang's scheming nemesis, Georgina Sparks. She was one of the original series' stars to return for a pair of guest appearances in the 2021 "Gossip Girl" revival.

Trachtenberg's later credits included the 2004 teen comedy "EuroTrip" and 2009's "17 Again" with Zac Efron and Leslie Mann.

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