**Tragic Passing of Former Child Star Michelle Trachtenberg at 39**

**Michelle Trachtenberg, an iconic figure of 90s and 2000s television, has passed away, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances.**

Michelle Trachtenberg, the talented actress who gained widespread acclaim during the 1990s and 2000s, has sadly passed away at the age of 39, as confirmed by the New York Police Department to CBS News. Trachtenberg became a household name for her portrayal of Dawn Summers, the younger sister of Buffy in the cult classic series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." She later captivated audiences with her role as the cunning socialite Georgina Sparks in the popular series "Gossip Girl," which aired from 2007 to 2012.

Authorities stated that her death is not being treated as suspicious. Trachtenberg's career began at the tender age of three with Nickelodeon’s "The Adventures of Pete & Pete," leading her to a successful film debut in "Harriet the Spy" in 1996, followed by several other Nickelodeon projects. The police responded to an emergency call on a Wednesday morning, where they found her unresponsive—she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The initial statement from the NYPD confirms that no foul play is suspected, with the official cause of death to be determined by the medical examiner. Trachtenberg's impressive body of work includes nominations for various awards, such as a Daytime Emmy Award during her time on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Alongside her famed television roles, she appeared in films like "EuroTrip," "Ice Princess," "Killing Kennedy," and "Sister Cities."

Trachtenberg made her debut on "Gossip Girl" in 2008 and recently returned for two episodes in the 2023 reboot on HBO Max. Her last significant project was in 2021, where she hosted the docuseries "Meet, Marry, Murder" on Tubi. That same year, she also spoke out against alleged inappropriate behavior by "Buffy" creator Joss Whedon, echoing sentiments shared by her co-star Charisma Carpenter, who described her own experiences on set as traumatic. Whedon has denied these misconduct allegations while fans and colleagues alike mourn the loss of a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.