Michelle Trachtenberg had ‘stepped back’ from Hollywood in the years before her shock death at 39.

The Gossip Girl actress died on Wednesday shortly after undergoing a liver transplant, and her cause of death will never be known after her family declined an autopsy.

A source told People the talented actress had ‘never found her footing’ as she began her career as an adult. 

The insider said: ‘She just had the story of childhood stardom. She had a couple roles throughout the last decade, but nothing of real note.

‘She really pulled back from Hollywood [in] the last eight years. She was a great girl who just never got her footing, just like many childhood stars.’

Trachtenberg was best known for her work as Buffy’s (Sarah Michelle Gellar) younger sister Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer from 2000-2003. 

Michelle Trachtenberg had ‘stepped back’ from Hollywood in the years before her shock death at 39 – pictured 2023 

Trachtenberg was best known for her work as Buffy’s ( Sarah Michelle Gellar ) younger sister Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer spanning 2000-2003

Trachtenberg had previously sparked fears for her health last year 

She also had a recurring role as ‘The Witch of the Upper East Side’ Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl alongside Blake Lively spanning 2008-2012.

In recent years Trachtenberg had sparked concern for her health after sharing troubling social media posts in which she looked frail. 

Trachtenberg’s last major gig was executive producing and hosting the 13-episode true-crime docuseries Meet, Marry, Murder for Tubi TV in 2021 

Her last onscreen role was in 2023 when she reprised her role in two episodes of the second (and final) season of HBO Max’s Gossip Girl reboot.

The ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ star’s death will forever remain a mystery after her relatives officially objected to an autopsy, Page Six has revealed.

Her family was able to object to the procedure on religious grounds.

Now, both the cause and manner of her death will be listed as ‘undetermined’ on her death certificate.

‘Under public health law, families may object to autopsy based on religious belief, and provided there is no suspicion of criminality or compelling public health reason to proceed with autopsy, the medical examiner honors the objection,’ a spokesperson for the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in New York told the outlet.

A source told People the talented actress had ‘never found her footing’ as she began her career as an adult – pictured 2020

The Brooklyn native also had a recurring role as ‘The Witch of the Upper East Side’ Georgina Sparks in 28 episodes of The CW teen soap Gossip Girl spanning 2008-2012

Medical examiners did conduct an external examination on the 39-year-old actress, but It’s now unlikely any further testing will be carried out to determine what caused her tragic death.

The Gossip Girl actress was found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Wednesday in her New York City apartment near Columbus Circle just after 8am local time by her mother. 

Read MoreBREAKING NEWS Michelle Trachtenberg ᴅᴇᴀᴅ at 39: Buffy and Gossip Girl star pᴀsses away after troubling posts

It was further reported the actress recently underwent a liver transplant after battling alcohol issues and ‘may have been experiencing complications.’

Trachtenberg’s spokesman told DailyMail.com: ‘It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has pᴀssed away. The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.’

Police said there is no foul play suspected in her death.

‘On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at approximately 0801 hours, police responded to a 911 call of an aided individual at 1 Columbus Place, within the confines of the Midtown North Precinct,’ police said in a statement.

‘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. The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing.’

Her family was able to object to an autopsy  on religious grounds. Now, both the cause and manner of her death will be listed as ‘undetermined’ on her death certificate (Pictured: Trachtenberg and her mother) 

Her final outing was to Sartiano’s restaurant in SoHo last Thursday night.

In the wake of her death, her former Gossip Girl co-star Ed Westwick shared a poignant throwback of the star on the show, captioned: ‘So sad to hear of the pᴀssing of Michelle Trachtenberg, sending prayers.’

Her Harriet The Spy co-star Rosie O’Donnell mourned the ‘heartbreaking’ loss of Trachtenberg in a statement, adding: ‘I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.’