Gossip Girl actress Michelle Trachtenberg died of natural causes and may have suffered complications following a liver transplant, police sources told ABC News.
The star, 39, was found dead by her mother on Wednesday in her New York City apartment near Columbus Circle just after 8am local time.
Police told DailyMail.com that there is no foul play suspected in her death. Sources told TMZ that the actress had been battling alcohol issues.
An autopsy will be carried out by the medical examiner's office to establish the exact cause of death.
'On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at approximately 0801 hours, police responded to a 911 call of an aided individual at 1 Columbus Place, within the confines of the Midtown North Precinct,' police said in a statement.
'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. The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing.'
Patients can receive a liver transplant after damaging the vital organ through alcohol abuse, hepatitis C or liver disease.
Anyone who's received a liver transplant due to alcohol abuse is advised to abstain from alcohol afterwards.
Trachtenberg was best known for her on role teen supernatural drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer spanning 2000-2003.
She played Buffy's younger sister Dawn Summers in 66 episodes of the hit show.
The Brooklyn native also had a recurring role as 'The Witch of the Upper East Side' Georgina Sparks in 28 episodes of The CW teen soap Gossip Girl spanning 2008-2012.
She also appeared in the 1996 film Harriet the Spy when she was 10 years old, alongside Rosie O'Donnell.
In recent years Trachtenberg had sparked concern for her health after sharing troubling social media posts in which she looked frail.
The former child star grew up in New York.
Her mother Lana and sister Irene later moved to Tarzana in California, while Michelle's father Michael lives in an apartment in Brooklyn.
Trachtenberg's former co-star O'Donnell, 62, released a statement to People describing the death as 'heartbreaking'.
'I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped,' O'Donnell said.
