Michelle Trachtenberg Shared Sweet Note to Boyfriend Before Her Death
Michelle Trachtenberg was feeling the love just weeks before her sudden death.
The Harriet the Spy star, who died at the age of 39 Feb. 26, shared a heartfelt tribute to her boyfriend Jay Cohen earlier this month in honor of Valentine’s Day.
Michelle marked the occasion with a photo of her and Jay, a partner at the Gersh Talent Agency, in full face paint and costumes as characters the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde writing on the Feb. 14 post, “Happy Valentine’s Day to the man who sits still long enough for me to paint his face.”
Fans of Michelle got the first look at their relationship in 2023, when she went Instagram official with Jay by sharing a sweet Valentine’s Day selfie.
The following year, the Ice Princess actress marked Jay’s birthday with the same photo of the pair in their Jekyll and Hyde costumes writing, “Happy Birthday to the man who puts up with me @jaymcohen.”
Jay, meanwhile, honored Michelle on Valentine’s Day in 2023 by sharing a sweet mirror selfie.
Over the course of their relationship, Michelle and Jay have remained largely out of the spotlight.
But while Michelle didn’t often give insight into her life on social media, she was active, sharing pics with former costars and throwbacks from red carpets along with messages of hope for her fans.
"Recently with all of the madness going on in the world, it’s time to be strong," the Gossip Girl alum wrote on Instagram Jan. 17. "Eye believe YOU are stronger than you think you are #grateful."
Michelle’s publicist confirmed her tragic death in a Feb, 26 statement to E! News, adding, "The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”
Following the news of her passing, many of her former costars and friends expressed their grief, including her fellow Nickelodeon alum Kenan Thompson, Harriet the Spy costar Rosie O’Donnell and more.
Kim Cattrall, who starred alongside Michelle in Ice Princess, wrote alongside a throwback picture, "Rest in peace sweet Michelle."
Keep strolling for more stars who paid tribute after Michelle’s death…
"My heart is heavy today," the Buffy the Vampire Slayer wrote on Instagram. "We have lost a beautiful soul. Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a very talented person. She died much too young, and leaves behind scores of people who knew and loved her."
James continued, "My heart goes out to her family who are good people, and are suffering the greatest loss anyone could bear. I hope everyone can give them space to heal in this most difficult time. Godspeed Michelle. You are missed."
The Sex and the City alum wrote of her Ice Princess costar, "Rest in peace sweet Michelle."
The Nickelodeon star wrote of his fellow alum, "Our first Nick movie star has departed us!! She was my friend and now she rests!! Check on your people!!!"
Michelle's Harriet the Spy costar told Us Weekly, "Heartbreaking. I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.”
"I'm so sorry your bright light died so young," she wrote of her former costar. "Our Buffy family lost a little sister today... Rest in peace lovely Mish Mish. You were loved."
Michelle's ex-boyfriend, whom she dated between 2004 and 2006, penned a tribute on social media.
"Incredibly sad to hear about Michelle’s passing," he wrote. "She was an incredible person and I will always remember the years we spent together fondly. She was loving, quirky and would never pass up a law and order SVU marathon:)"
He added, "My condolences to her mother Lana and sister Irene! This is an incredible loss!"
The Halloweentown alum expressed her grief with a simple broken heart emoji.
"I'm heartbroken to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg," Melissa wrote on Instagram, alognside a throwback clip from Clarissa Explains It All. "So young, so talented and so sweet!"
She added of the clip, "I think this was about 1992 and the episode was an idea I had about babysitting a total nightmare. But Michelle was nothing like her character and even this young, we got along wonderfully."
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing," the Gossip Girl creators and showrunners shared with NBC News. "Michelle was so funny, kind, and talented. Her portrayal of Georgina Sparks was an iconic fan favorite, and grew from a one season villain to a beloved character who returned over the course of six seasons."
The pair continued, "She was a delight to have on set and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her family.”
"Oh Michy…," Melissa wrote on Instagram in tribute to her A Holiday for Love costar. "And we lived so close to one another…..my heart aches for your family and all those who loved you so… @michelletrachtenberg #ripsweetgirl"
"So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg," the Gossip Girl alum wrote on his Feb. 25 Instagram Story. "Sending prayers."
He closed his message with the praying hands and white heart emojis.
"So very sad..." Michelle's Buffy The Vampire Slayer costar wrote on social media of her passing. "Horrible News. RIP and prayers to her and her family."
eonline
