The cause of the death of Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Michelle Trachtenberg has been ruled “undetermined”.

Trachtenberg was found dead in a New York apartment at the age of 39 on Wednesday (local time).

While her death is not being treated as suspicious, it still unclear what happened to the actress.

People magazine reports the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office has said that Trachtenberg’s family objected to an autopsy, meaning only an external exam of the Gossip Girl star’s body was allowed, leading to her cause of death to be ruled “undetermined”.

The actress was reported to have had a liver transplant recently, and fans on social media have in recent years expressed concern about her health.

In 2024, the TV star took to social media to explain her gaunt appearance.

In response to a question about her health, Trachtenberg replied: “Explain to me how I look sick. Did you lose a calendar and not realise I’m not 14? I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment.”

The Harriet the Spy star subsequently shared a selfie and insisted that she was feeling “happy and healthy”.

“I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery. I am happy and healthy. Check yourself haters,” she captioned the image.

The New York Police Department previously said officers had found the star’s body when responding to an emergency call at 1 Columbus Place in New York City.

“Upon arrival, officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive. EMS responded to the location and pronounced the victim deceased. Criminality is not suspected,” police said.

Trachtenberg first found fame as a child, starring in TV commercials and the Nickelodeon series The Adventures of Pete and Pete.

In 2000, the actress joined the cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Dawn Summers, and from 2008-2012, she played Georgina Sparks on the hit teen drama series Gossip Girl.

Princess Eugenie’s tribute to Trachtenberg. Source: Instagram

Buffy co-star Sarah Michelle Gellar has paid tribute to Trachtenberg, saying she will “always love” her late co-star.

Gellar posted on Instagram a modified quote taken from a pivotal scene in the popular show where Buffy tells her younger sister “the hardest thing in this world, is to live in it”.

She also shared images of her and Trachtenberg during filming and behind the scenes with the cast.

Princess Eugenie, who was friends with the actress, thanked her for “so many memories of laughter and fun”.

“Goodbye special friend. You are so loved and missed,” the British royal wrote in a post on her Instagram story.

“Thank you for so many memories of laughter and fun. You were so thoughtful and generous and soooo funny.”

Other tributes came from fellow Gossip Girl stars, including Blake Lively, as well as other Buffy cast members, including How I Met Your Mother actress Alyson Hannigan, who played the witch Willow Rosenberg, and James Marsters, who played British vampire Spike.

Buffy co-star Charisma Carpenter said seeing someone “so young, bright, beautiful, and full of promise pass away” was “devastating”.

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