Topics: Blake Lively, Entertainment, Michelle Trachtenberg, New York, US News, Celebrity
Blake Lively has issued a heartbreaking tribute to her former Gossip Girl co-star Michelle Trachtenberg.
Lively has paid homage to Trachtenberg after the 39-year-old actress was found dead at One Columbus Place, New York, at around 8am yesterday, (February 26).
Police have confirmed they are not investigating the TV star's death as suspicious and a medical examiner will determine the cause of death.
Trachtenberg's representatives said: "It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss."
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Now taking to Instagram, Lively has reflected on her old friend's 'kind' and 'electric' spirit.
Sharing a snap of the pair from the day they met almost two decades ago on the set of the hit drama, she wrote: "This is the first day I met Michelle. She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200 percent."
The mom-of-four continued: "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."
Lively said the Buffy the Vampire Slayer star 'always' donned 'yummy caramel smelling lipgloss', not only to 'sparkle on camera' but because 'she liked creating a nice experience for anyone who was in her orbit, even down to the subtle smell of her lipgloss because she cared about the sweet details'.
"She was a kind person, through and through," she added.
Touching on the sudden and tragic loss of Trachtenberg, Lively encouraged her 44 million followers to 'hold those you love'.
"Time passes," Lively continued. "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."
"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," her moving post concluded.
Another Gossip Girl co-star, Ed Westwick, also reacted to the tragic news, writing on his Story: "So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg sending prayers," accompanied with a prayer emoji and a white heart.
Trachtenberg sparked her acting debut at the young age of three, appearing in Nickelodeon television series Adventures of Pete and Pete which aired from 1994 to 1996.
She then appeared in several Nickelodeon productions, starring in the 2004 release Eurotrip before shooting to fame for her roles in Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the latter of which saw her nominated for three Saturn Awards and bag a Young Artist Award.
Trachtenberg also voiced the character of Judy Reilly in American adult animated comedy series Human Kind Of which premiered on Facebook Watch and starred in movies such as 2005's Ice Princess and appeared in 17 Again (2009) alongside Zac Efron.
Her loss has also been keenly felt by fans, who took to social media yesterday to post their own tributes about the 'legendary' and 'talented' actress.
LADbible Group has contacted NYPD and Michelle Trachtenberg's representatives for comment.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].
