Michelle Trachtenberg Planned SXSW Appearance Before Her Sudden Passing at 39
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Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her roles in Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, was preparing to make a rare public appearance before her unexpected death at age 39.
Producer Jennifer Hutchins confirmed to PEOPLE that Trachtenberg was scheduled to participate in a benefit screening for her final film, Spyral, at the 2025 South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, on March 12. The actress had planned to attend either in person or virtually, depending on her health.
“There was no public announcement planned, as we knew it would be a last-minute decision if she was up for it,” Hutchins explained.
Trachtenberg completed her voice work for Spyral in 2021, reading diary excerpts from Michelle Cody White, the late wife of filmmaker Randall White, who struggled with undiagnosed bipolar depression. Hutchins revealed that the role deeply resonated with the actress, sharing that Trachtenberg was moved to tears during recording sessions.
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“I really saw her as a leader for mental health awareness once this film came out,” Hutchins said. “She was so connected to this story, and it truly hit her heart. You can hear the real trembling in her voice when she read from Michelle Cody White’s diaries.”
Beyond her dedication to the project, Hutchins described Trachtenberg as warm and down-to-earth, recalling how she shared stories about her beloved cat and made others feel instantly comfortable.
The SXSW screening will now also serve as a tribute to Trachtenberg, honoring her contributions to the film and mental health advocacy. The event, which will be livestreamed, will support mental health organizations, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Save Our Stories.
Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant and was found deceased in her New York City home on February 26. The New York City Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that her family objected to an autopsy, leaving the cause of death officially “undetermined.”
Her planned SXSW appearance would have marked a return to the public eye after years of living quietly away from Hollywood. A friend of the actress told PEOPLE that Trachtenberg had distanced herself from the industry in recent years, taking only occasional roles, including her Gossip Girl reboot appearance in 2023.
“She was a great girl who just never got her footing, like many childhood stars,” the source said, adding that she had become reclusive in her final years.
Another source revealed that Trachtenberg had been struggling emotionally, telling friends she was going through a difficult time. “She was really, really sick and open about how much she was struggling,” they said.
Those who knew her best, however, remember her as kind, supportive, and full of talent. “She was an amazing person,” Hutchins concluded. “She contributed so much to the world.”