Blake Lively has paid tribute to her Gossip Girl co-star Michelle Trachtenberg following her heartbreaking death at 39.
Trachtenberg, best known for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Harriet the Spy, and Gossip Girl, was found dead by her mother early Wednesday morning at One Columbus Place, a luxury high-rise near Central Park in Manhattan.
Authorities stated that officers arrived to find her “unconscious and unresponsive” before EMS pronounced her dead at the scene.
“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” her representative, Gary Mantoosh, told The New York Post. “The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”
Sources have since revealed that the late star had recently undergone a liver transplant, though it is unclear whether it played a role in her passing.
While her cause of death remains unknown, police have said it is not being investigated as suspicious. The New York City medical examiner will determine an official ruling.
Trachtenberg played Georgina Sparks, a recurring antagonist to Lively’s Serena van der Woodsen, in the CW teen drama.
She made multiple appearances throughout the show’s six-season run from 2007 to 2012, leaving a lasting impression on fans.
On Wednesday evening, Lively, 37, took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute alongside a nostalgic photo of the two on set. “This is the first day I met Michelle,” she began. “She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%.”
The It Ends With Us actress described Trachtenberg’s vibrant personality, dedication to her craft, and unwavering loyalty to those she cared about.
“She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke, she faced authority head-on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself,” Lively wrote.
“And she always had yummy caramel-smelling lipgloss on because she didn’t just want to sparkle on camera, she liked creating a nice experience for anyone who was in her orbit, even down to the subtle smell of her lipgloss because she cared about the sweet details," she continued, adding: “She was a kind person, through and through."
The A Simple Favor star reflected on the passage of time and the unexpected nature of loss: “Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend. To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday.”
“Hold those you love and have loved dear. The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle,” Lively wrote, closing her tribute with, “May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire.”
Lively’s tribute was one of many heartfelt messages from former co-stars. Ed Westwick, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in the CW drama, also shared his condolences, writing on his Instagram Story: “So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg. Sending prayers.”
Rosie O’Donnell, who worked with Trachtenberg in Harriet the Spy, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer castmates James Marsters and Alyson Hannigan also paid tribute to the late star.
Our thoughts are with the actress' family, friends, and fans at this time.