Michelle Trachtenberg Had Plans for Major Public Appearance Ahead of Her Sudden Passing

Before Michelle Trachtenberg’s sudden passing at age 39, the actress was set to appear at a major public event. The Gossip Girl star was found “unconscious and unresponsive” in her Manhattan apartment on Feb. 26 and was pronounced dead when EMS arrived. Although Trachtenberg hadn’t been seen too often in the public eye in recent months, she was due to appear at a benefit screening of the documentary Spyral at SXSW in Austin, Texas on Mar. 12, according to PEOPLE.

Producer Jennifer Hutchins confirmed to the outlet Trachtenberg was going to attend either in person or virtually “depending on her health.” She noted, “There was no public announcement planned as we knew it would be a last minute decision if she was up for it.” Spyral will mark Trachtenberg’s final film, which she completed the voice work for in 2021 and comes from two-time Oscar winner Bill Guttentag. The film had a delayed release due to COVID-19 and released last year, with filmmakers hoping to find a wide distribution deal.

“I am so saddened by the loss of Michelle,” Hutchins said in a statement. “I really saw her as a leader for mental health awareness once this film came out. She was so connected to this story and the late Michelle Cody White. I could really tell it hit her in her own heart as she took breaks during the voice over recordings to wipe tears away as she was giving her everything to the moment. When you watch this movie, you can hear the real trembling in Michelle’s voice as she was reading excerpts from Michelle Cody White’s diaries and journals.”

“Michelle just felt very sweet and easy to talk to,” she continued. “She was telling me about how much she loved her cat and sharing funny stories. She’s just one of those people that you felt like you instantly knew, like an old friend.” Hutchins hopes that Trachtenberg’s memory will live on as people tell stories about her as she was an “amazing person” instead of focusing on her “health problems.” Although her cause of death provides no answers as there will be no autopsy, per her family’s request, she’s clapped back at haters before who have said she “looks sick.” It’s also been reported that she underwent a recent liver transplant.

Per the official website, the live streaming event will support mental health charities such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Save Our Stories. According to TMZ, the filmmakers will honor Trachtenberg at the event.