Michelle Trachtenberg’s cause of death ‘undetermined’ after family decline autopsy

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Michelle Trachtenberg’s cause of death has been ruled “undetermined” after her family declined to have an autopsy performed.

The cause of the Gossip Girl star’s shocking death will remain undetermined after her family decided against an autopsy, according to the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Trachtenberg’s family reportedly declined to have an autopsy performed for religious reasons. The decision was not overturned by the medical examiner’s office because her death was not considered suspicious.

The actress was found dead in her apartment in Manhattan, New York, on Wednesday morning after police responded to a 911 call. She was 39.

After her death, it was reported that Trachtenberg underwent a liver transplant last year and may have suffered complications. She never spoke publicly about her health conditions.

A spokesperson for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress confirmed her death in a statement on Wednesday.

“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” the statement read. “The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”

On Thursday, the star’s longtime friend Amanda de Cadenet claimed that Trachtenberg knew “death was a high possibility” before she passed away.

“Seeing your face from the hospital bed when we FaceTimed recently, even though you did not look like you, your sweetness and humor were still alive,” the photographer wrote in a now-deleted post. “I will not share the details of our conversations over the last 6 months. But you knew that death was a high possibility.”

Trachtenberg was best known for her breakout role in 1996’s Harriet the Spy and hit TV shows Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.



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