Featured Image Credit: Jemal Countess via Getty Images
Topics: Michelle Trachtenberg, TV And Film, Celebrity
Michael Slavin
Topics: Michelle Trachtenberg, TV And Film, Celebrity
Michelle Trachtenberg's death has officially been ruled to have been caused by complications involving diabetes.
The news comes as a shock as it was thought that her cause of death may never be revealed.
This is due to the fact that the actor, who died aged just 39, never received an autopsy on the request of her family.
Trachtenberg's family made this request for religious reasons, and the medical examiner did not prevent this due to the belief that she died of natural causes, rather than any suspected foul play or criminality, according to Deadline.
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The medical examiner instead performed an external examination and lab testing, with the toxicology test reports providing enough information to link her death to complications with diabetes mellitus.
A spokesperson for the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner further told People Magazine that 'the amended determination was made following review of toxicology testing results', which they said could be performed 'without autopsy'.
Trachtenberg's death came as a shock to fan's worldwide, with emotional tributes pouring in from fans and former co-stars alike.
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She came to fame aged just nine, appearing on Nickelodeon's The Adventures of Pete & Pete.
A role on Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Buffy's sister Dawn eventually led to her stardom however, starring alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Gellar took to Instagram to pay tribute to the young star following her death with an emotional message.
In a post accompanied by pictures of the pair, she made an emotional reference to a famous line from Buffy.
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She said: "Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you.
"The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you."
Following Buffy the actor also went on to star in Gossip Girl alongside Blake Lively and Ed Westwick.
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Lively similarly took to Instagram in an emotional tribute, saying: "Everything she did, she did 200 percent.
"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.
"Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend.
"To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday.
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"Hold those you love and have loved dear.
"The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle.
"May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire."