Michelle Trachtenberg, 39, Dies from Diabetes Complications

Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her roles in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Gossip Girl,' died at age 39 from complications related to diabetes mellitus, according to the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner. Trachtenberg had reportedly struggled with significant health issues in recent years, including a recent liver transplant, and had become increasingly reclusive. Emergency responders found her unresponsive in her New York apartment in February, and her family declined an autopsy on religious grounds. Friends and sources note she had been open about her physical and emotional struggles, appearing frail in her final months. Her passing has prompted tributes from former co-stars and renewed conversations about chronic illness and mental health challenges faced by those in the entertainment industry. Trachtenberg's death serves as a stark reminder of the serious risks posed by diabetes and related health complications.