Michelle Trachtenberg's Co-stars Break Silence Following Her Shocking Death: 'I Wish I Could Have Helped'

Michelle Trachtenberg's friends and colleagues are reacting to the news of her sudden death. The actress' co-stars and people she has worked with in the past opened up about her in statements on her passing.

Michelle Trachtenberg was pronounced dead after emergency services responded to a 911 call at 8 am on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 1 Columbus Place in New York.

Following the news of Trachtenberg's passing at the age of 39 on February 26, O'Donnell expressed her heartbreak in a statement. She shared her deep affection for Trachtenberg and acknowledged the struggles she faced in recent years. In her words:

"I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped."

In 1996, O'Donnell, now 62, shared the screen with Trachtenberg in the film "Harriet the Spy." This movie marked Trachtenberg's debut in big-screen acting when she was only 10 years old.

Another cast member, Cameron, reflected on her experience working with the late actress in "Harriet the Spy," where she played Harriet's mother, Mrs. Welch.

She recalled that while Trachtenberg had previously appeared in the Nickelodeon show "Adventures of Pete & Pete," this role marked her first leading film appearance, and she was filled with excitement.

Cameron raved about the late actress's natural exuberance, which was amplified as she navigated the challenges of her new role.

Years later, they reconnected briefly on social media, and Cameron remembered her as always warm and charming. The news of Trachtenberg's passing left her feeling shocked and unsettled, per PEOPLE.

As soon as the officers rushed down the apartment following the 911 call, they met an unresponsive and unconscious Trachtenberg. Despite the severity of the situation, law enforcement confirmed that "criminality is not suspected."

Trachtenberg is known for her roles as Dawn Summers on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and Georgina Sparks on "Gossip Girl." She began her commercial career and soon transitioned to television, appearing in Nickelodeon's "The Adventures of Pete & Pete" and "All My Children". 

Trachtenberg also gained significant attention for her role in "Harriet the Spy," which opened the door to a variety of other film and television opportunities, including notable appearances in "Eurotrip," "17 Again", and "Ice Princess."

Most recently, she reprised her role as Georgina in the 2023 "Gossip Girl" reboot on Max.

In the weeks leading up to Trachtenberg's passing, The Blast noted that her fans voiced their concerns for her health and well-being. Speculation about possible issues included worries about a heroin addiction, although many followers felt nothing was amiss with her social media posts.

On January 26, Trachtenberg shared a natural selfie showcasing her in a puffy jacket and face cap without any filters. Reactions varied widely; while one fan expressed deep concern, stating, "There is something wrong," another lamented the sadness of addiction. 

In contrast, some comments praised her appearance, with one fan noting she looked "gorgeous" and more youthful, as if in her mid to late 20s. 

A defender of Trachtenberg's unfiltered look remarked that people perceived her differently simply because she chose not to use filters, suggesting that if she wanted validation for her beauty, she would likely follow the trend of other actresses who often rely on editing.

In January 2024, Trachtenberg drew the attention of some fans on Instagram after sharing a selfie taken during a visit to the hair salon alongside  "Spy Kids" star Alexa PenaVega.

On seeing how she looked, comments began trooping in, with some suggesting she go in for medical examination for some underlying health issues.

A frustrated Trachtenberg finally replied to one of those who had the most to say. She wrote, "Explain to me how I look sick. Did you lose a calendar and not realize I'm not 14 [?] I'm 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment."

The fan then apologized to the late actress, who later shared another picture on Instagram and captioned it, "I've received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery. I am happy and healthy. Check yourself, haters."

In February 2021, Michelle Trachtenberg brought to light serious allegations against Joss Whedon, the creator of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

She revealed that there was a specific rule in place during the show's production that prohibited him from being alone with her on set. This statement was shared in an updated post on her Instagram account. 

"He's not allowed in a room alone with Michelle again," the star clarified in her post. She refrained from providing more details about Whedon's alleged misconduct or who enforced the rule. 

Her revelation followed accusations from "Buffy" co-star Charisma Carpenter, who described Whedon's behavior as "toxic" and "hostile." Carpenter claimed Whedon spoke ill of her pregnancy weight gain and became overbearing on set, causing lasting emotional and physical distress.

Sarah Michelle Gellar also publicly distanced herself from Whedon, expressing her support for survivors of abuse. In response, the late Trachtenberg mentioned that she felt "brave enough" to share her own experiences related to the matter.

May Michelle Trachtenberg's sterling memory continue to live on!