Michelle Trachtenberg death: Blake Lively, Rosie O’Donnell lead tributes to Gossip Girl and Buffy star

Emma Caulfield has reacted to Trachtenberg’s death, saying the Buffy Family has “lost a little sister.”

“I’m so sorry your bright light died so young,” said Caulfield, who starred as former demon Anya Jenkins in the hit drama series. “Rest in peace lovely Mish Mish. You are loved.”

Gossip Girl alum Blake Lively posted a moving tribute to Trachtenberg, writing that “the world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle”.

“This is the first day I met Michelle,” Lively wrote, with a picture of her and Trachtenberg on the set of Gossip Girl.

“She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%. 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.

“And she always had yummy caramel smelling lip gloss 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 lip gloss because she cared about the sweet details.”

James Marsters, who played British punk vampire Spike in Buffy, penned an emotional tribute to his former co-star.

“My heart is heavy today. We have lost a beautiful soul. Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a very talented person. She died much too young, and leaves behind scores of people who knew and loved her,” he wrote.

“My heart goes out to her family who are good people, and are suffering the greatest loss anyone could bear. I hope everyone can give them space to heal in this most difficult time,” Marsters concluded. “Godspeed Michelle. You are missed.”

He also included an old selfie of the two of them.

Melissa Gilbert, who portrayed Trachtenberg’s mother in the 1996 TV film A Holiday for Love wrote that her “heart aches” for the Gossip Girl star’s “family and all those who loved you so.”

“Oh Michy…and we lived so close to one another,” Gilbert added.

Resharing an article about Trachtenberg’s passing on his Instagram Story, Buffy star David Boreanz wrote: “So very sad… horrible news. RIP and prayers to her and her family.”

The NYPD has confirmed to the BBC that an investigation into Trachtenberg’s death “remains ongoing.”

However, it’s clarified that “criminality is not suspected. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death.”

Trachtenberg was found Wednesday morning “unconscious and unresponsive” in her New York City apartment. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Melissa Joan Hart has on Instagram shared an old clip of a young Trachtenberg on the nineties sitcom Clarisse Explains It All.

“I’m heartbroken to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg!! So young, so talented and so sweet! Here is a fun scene from when she was on #ClarissaExplainsItAll,” wrote Hart, who led the Nickelodeon series. “I think this was about 1992 and the episode was an idea I had about babysitting a total nightmare. But Michelle was nothing like her character and even this young, we got along wonderfully.”

Trachtenberg was just eight years old when she guest-starred as Elsie Soaperstein in a 1993 episode of the series.

Rosie O’Donnell has claimed that her former co-star Michelle Trachtenberg was “struggling” before her death.

“I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped,” she added in her statement, shared with People.

Trachtenberg was found dead in her New York City apartment

Buffy star Alyson Hannigan has also posted in honor of Trachtenberg.

“I am deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing. She brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy. My thoughts are with Michelle’s family and friends,” Hannigan wrote on Instagram.