Michelle Trachtenberg's Mom Talked to Her the Night Before Her Death, Found Her Unresponsive Hours Later: Report

Mar. 15, 2025

Michelle Trachtenberg at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on Monday, Jan. 19, 2009.Photo:AP Photo/Mark Mainz

AP Photo/Mark Mainz

Michelle Trachtenberg’smom talked to her the night before she was found unresponsive in her New York City apartment, according to a newTMZreport.

The NYPD previously confirmed to PEOPLE that officers responded to a 911 call at 1 Columbus Place in New York City around 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

“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,” they said.

According to TMZ, it was Trachtenberg’s mom,Lana, who found her “unresponsive, lying on her back in bed,” causing her to alert police and paramedics.

Michelle Trachtenberg.John Salangsang/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

John Salangsang/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

Lana had last seen her daughter alive at 10 p.m. Tuesday, and “she was clearly active despite her health concerns,” reported TMZ. The NYPD confirmed to PEOPLE that an investigation into Trachtenberg’s death remains ongoing but could not confirm the details of TMZ’s report.

While a cause of death has not been announced, multiple sources confirmed to PEOPLE thatTrachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant. A source toldABC Newsthat may have led to health complications.

Although Trachtenberg had never publicly discussed any health conditions, she responded to commenters on Instagram in January when theysuggested she was unwell.

Jemal Countess/Getty

A day later, she shared similar sentimentsnext to another Instagram selfie, writing, “Fun fact. This is my face. Not malnutrition no problems. Why do you have to hate? Get a calendar.”

An insider told PEOPLE following her death that Trachtenberg was “really down emotionally" andhad been dealing with “health issues.”

“She told friends she was struggling. She was really, really sick and open with those in her circle about how much she was struggling," said that insider, who claimed she looked “pale, gaunt” and “very thin."

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Trachtenberg, whomade an impact on film and television, is best known forher roles as Georgina Sparks onGossip Girland Dawn Summers onBuffy the Vampire Slayer.

source: people.com