Michelle Trachtenberg cause of death ruled undetermined after family rejects autopsy

The cause of death for actress Michelle Trachtenberg has been ruled “undetermined” following her family’s objection to an autopsy, as confirmed by Page Six.

The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner stated that under public health law, families may refuse an autopsy on religious grounds if there is no suspicion of criminal activity or a significant public health concern. As a result, only an external examination was conducted.

Trachtenberg, best known for her roles in Harriet the Spy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Gossip Girl, was found unresponsive in her New York City apartment on February 26. According to The Post, her mother, Lana Trachtenberg, discovered her unresponsive after she went into cardiac arrest. 

The NYPD stated that officers and paramedics responded to the scene, but she was pronounced dead upon their arrival. Authorities do not consider her death suspicious.

According to sources, Trachtenberg had undergone a liver transplant shortly before her passing, though she never publicly disclosed details about the procedure. 

Her recent selfies drew concern from fans due to visible changes in her appearance, with some noting her thinner hair and a yellowish tint in her eyes. She dismissed the concerns, calling them “haters” and insisting she was in good health.

In the days before her passing, Trachtenberg primarily shared throwback photos, but a week prior, she posted a recent selfie captioned “Eye of the Tiger.”

She is survived by her parents, Michael and Lana Trachtenberg, and was in a long-term relationship with talent agent Jay Cohen.