Michelle Trachtenberg Knew ‘Death Was a High Possibility’ When She Was Hospitalized Months Before She Died
Michelle Trachtenberg was vocal about her health before her death. Friends of the Gossip Girl star have spoken about how she was concerned about her own well being in the previous months.
Trachtenberg was found dead at 8 a.m. ET on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, by her mother, according to TMZ. Law enforcement sources told the site that police and paramedics were called to One Columbus Place, a luxury apartment on Central Park South in New York City, for a woman in cardiac arrest. When they arrived, officials found Trachtenberg unresponsive and she was pronounced dead on the scene.
Related: Michelle Trachtenberg Addressed Claims She Looked ‘Sick’ Months Before Her Death
What happened to Michelle Trachtenberg’s health before her death?
ABC News reported that Michelle Trachtenberg had a liver transplant in the months leading up to her death. TMZ also reported that officials said that her body could have rejected the liver which led to complications.
Sources told People that Trachtenberg was not in high spirits in the months after the procedure. Friends who were close to her said that she “really down emotionally” and had “health issues.”
“She told friends she was struggling,” the source told the site. “She was really, really sick and open with those in her circle about how much she was struggling.”
Her friend Amanda de Cadenet made a now-deleted tribute post on Instagram. She included a photo of a younger Trachtenberg posing for the camera and wrote in the caption via People, “Sweetheart Michelle. ❤️. What sad news this morning to wake up to. It feels weird and awful to be posting this, but I want to acknowledge your death because I cared about you.”
“I will always remember you as the young vivacious woman I met when I took this photo of you …,” she continued. “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.”
“I will not share the details of our conversations over the last 6 months. But you knew that death was a high possibility,” she wrote. “I am only sorry that the outcome was not a better one. Wishing you a peaceful transition sweet friend and may your spirit finally rest. 🫶.”
Trachtenberg denied claims that she looked sick when fans questioned her appearance on her Instagram. “Explain to me how I look sick,” she wrote in response to one commenter before explaining that her different appearance was due to her becoming older and not a disease. “Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14. I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment.”
