Michelle Trachtenberg was reportedly “struggling” both mentally and physically in the year prior to her death.
An insider told People Wednesday that the “Gossip Girl” star had been “really down emotionally” while dealing with undisclosed “health issues.”
“She told friends she was struggling,” the source said. “She was really, really sick and open with those in her circle about how much she was struggling.”
Friends — and followers — of the 39-year-old actress noticed she was looking “pale, gaunt” and “very thin” leading up to her death.
Similarly, one of Trachtenberg’s neighbors told Us Weekly she had become “svelte” and looked “less and less like herself in the last few months.”
The “Harriet the Spy” star went into cardiac arrest in her New York City apartment Wednesday morning. Her mother found her around 8 a.m.
She was pronounced dead on the scene when police arrived.
Although her official cause of death has yet to be revealed, criminality is not suspected as she died from natural causes.
Page Six learned that Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant and may have died due to complications from the surgery, which happened within the last year.
Although the actress never publicly disclosed her health issues, she insisted she was “healthy and happy” after fans voiced their concerns last year.
Trachtenberg’s followers grew worried after she posted a selfie in January 2024 looking drastically different.
Her comment section was flooded with messages about her “sick” appearance, pointing to her thinning hair and slender figure.
However, at the time, Trachtenberg defended her looks and blasted the “haters” for commenting on her body.
“Explain to me how I look sick,” she responded to one commenter. “Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14. I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment.”
When that didn’t silence the critics, Trachtenberg doubled down in two follow-up posts.
“I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery I am happy and healthy,” she wrote. “Check yourself haters.”
She captioned the second selfie, “Fun fact. This is my face. Not malnutrition no problems. Why do you have to hate? Get a calendar.”
Trachtenberg, who boasted over 800,000 followers, last posted to Instagram on Feb. 18 — one week before her death.
