Michelle Trachtenberg, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl star, has tragically passed away at age 39.The beloved actress was found dead by her mother in her New York City apartment Wednesday morning, police reported. Her cause of death remains unknown, but “criminality is not suspected,” the NYPD said in a statement.Experts believe her death was due to natural causes, as Trachtenberg recently underwent a liver transplant and was possibly experiencing complications. However, that was the extent they shared of her medical history, and it’s unclear what led to her needing the liver transplant. An autopsy will be done for more clarity on the cause and manner of her untimely passing. “The family requests privacy for their loss,” a representative for Trachtenberg told CNN in a statement. “There are no further details at this time.”Michelle Trachtenberg first made a name for herself in the popular ’90s sitcom The Adventures of Pete & Pete. Later, she became the iconic villain Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl—who viewers loved to hate. “It’s kind of easy to be evil when you’re saying evil things. It’s definitely a lot more fun than playing the good girl,” she told Seventeen back in 2009. “I love the reaction you get. I never understood why some actors don’t want to play villains or evil characters.”However, Trachtenberg is probably best known for her role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer as the main character’s younger sister, Dawn Summers. Fans have already flocked to social media, sharing their condolences on the actress’s Instagram page.“Rest in peace you were always a huge support for artists and were such a talent. We will all miss you ,” one person wrote.Another added, “Thank you for your incomparable work on Buffy, it was a show that was such a formative part of my life .”The post ‘Buffy’ and ‘Gossip Girl’ Star Michelle Trachtenberg Dead at 39 appeared first on VICE.