Michelle Trachtenberg died on Wednesday at the age of 39, and fans are remembering some of her most memorable moments from one of her most well-known roles, Dawn Summers on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
Many fans took to social media to share their favorite scenes featuring Trachtenberg’s character, highlighting her emotional depth in the role.
One fan recalled a touching scene between Dawn and Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), in which the sisters discussed their familial bond. Dawn is seen holding Buffy’s hand before the two embrace in a heartfelt hug.
“Dawn’s contribution to the BTVS storyline remains one of my favorite plot twists from any show I have ever seen, and she was the only person who could have played Buffy’s sister. The post was captioned, “RIP Michelle Tratchenberg.”
Another fan pointed out a powerful scene from the episode “The Body,” in which the Summers sisters deal with their mother’s sudden death.
“Rest in peace! Michele Trachtenberg. This episode never fails to move me to tears, but this scene in particular, and Dawn’s refusal to meet Buffy’s eyeline when she asks ‘where is mom?’ is truly heartbreaking.
Trachtenberg rose to prominence with her lead role in the 1996 Nickelodeon film “Harriet the Spy,” in which she played the curious and adventurous Harriet M. Welsch. Trachtenberg cemented her place in television history with her portrayal of Dawn on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” She also played Georgina Sparks in the popular series “Gossip Girl,” appearing in several episodes from 2008 to 2012.
According to Time, Trachtenberg’s mother discovered her unresponsive in her New York City apartment. According to the outlet, she had a liver transplant and may have been suffering from post-operative complications. While the exact cause of death is thought to be natural, an official autopsy is scheduled to confirm the details.
