Gossip Girl star Michelle Trachtenberg’s last Instagram post has been filled with heartfelt tributes from fans following the actor’s death at the age of 39.
Trachtenberg, who was also known for her role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, was found dead in her New York apartment on Wednesday (February 26).
A spokesperson for the star’s family confirmed the news, saying in a statement: “It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”
The star’s family has denied an autopsy of her body for religious reasons, meaning the cause and manner of how she died remain undetermined.
The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner did not overrule the family’s objection because there is no suspicion of foul play related to Trachtenberg’s passing.
Tributes have flooded in for the actor in the wake of her death, with the star’s final Instagram post among the places where fans have been sharing their condolences and kind words.
Trachtenberg shared her most recent post on Instagram February 18, when she uploaded a picture of herself taken at the premiere of National Geographic Channel’s Killing Kennedy, which took place at the Saban Theatre in California.
See the photo Trachtenberg shared below:
The post was a throwback to the red carpet event, which took place on November 4, 2013.
Trachtenberg wore a green dress, with her hair swept over one shoulder. Alongside the image, she reflected back on the moment more than a decade earlier as she wrote: “I wanted to look like naughty #tinkerbell #throwback.”
The comments section of Trachtenberg’s final post has now been flooded with tributes, with one reading: “Will never forget your laugh, your wit or your light rest in peace, Michelle.”
“We grew up with you. Rest in power, Michelle,” another tribute said.
Fellow actor Selma Blair was among those who commented on Trachtenberg’s final post, writing: “I love you forever. One of the few. Your memory will be a blessing.”
Trachtenberg first stepped into the spotlight as a child when she appeared in titles like The Adventure of Pete & Pete and Harriet the Spy.
She gained further recognition after being cast as Dawn, the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and went on to land the role of
Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl, in which she starred from 2008 to 2012.
