Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, known for roles in "Buffy," "Harriet the Spy," and "Gossip Girl," has been found dead in New York City at the age of 39, according to a police spokesperson.
The NYPD responded to a 911 call around 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning to a building in the Columbus Circle area, police said. When officers arrived they found Trachtenberg unconscious and unresponsive, according to the NYPD.
Trachtenberg was pronounced dead at the scene, identified by sources as the apartment building where she lived. The medical examiner will determine the cause of her death, but police said "criminality is not suspected."
One of her most popular and longest roles, Trachtenberg received acclaim for her role as Dawn Summers on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" in the early 2000s, alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar. She starred in a number of film and television roles throughout her career including "Harriet the Spy," which was one of her first acting roles, and "Gossip Girl," in which she played Georgina Sparks.
In January, Trachtenberg responded to fans on social media who expressed concern about her health and wellbeing, E! reported at the time.
On Jan. 17, she shared a selfie with "Spy Kids" star Alexa PenaVega, writing, "These kids….now adults getting our roots/hair done! Love this girl @vegaalexa." One user commented, "Michelle u look sick. R u ok?"
The "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" alum responded, "Explain to me how I look sick. Did you lose a calendar and not realize I'm not 14. I'm 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment."
She captioned another selfie in January, "Fun fact. This is my face," she captioned the post. "Not malnutrition no problems. Why do you have you hate? Get a calendar."
Trachtenberg grew up in Brooklyn, according to the entertainment website IMDb.
The actress last posted on Instagram a week ago with a throwback photo. She regularly would post about being in New York and add a hashtag "#newyork" to her posts.
Police said the investigation in her death is ongoing.
Actress Michelle Trachtenberg attends the 28th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on February 9, 2020 in West hollywood, california. (Photo by Michael Tran / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Michelle Trachtenberg during 2003 Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony - Green Room at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)
NEW YORK CITY, NY - FEBRUARY 13: Michelle Trachtenberg attends MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK Opening Night Party at Shang at The Thompson LES Hotel on February 13, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by PATRICK MCMULLAN/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
- JUNE 15: Michelle Trachtenberg attends Calvin Klein Collection Presents "First Party on the Highline" at The High Line on June 15, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by DAVID X PRUTTING/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
