Sarah Michelle Gellar was spotted in Los Angeles on Friday, looking solemn in her first public appearance since the tragic death of her Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star Michelle Trachtenberg.
The 47-year-old actress, best known for her role as Buffy Summers, was seen leaving a hair salon in Beverly Hills just days after Trachtenberg—who played her on-screen younger sister, Dawn—was found dead in her New York City apartment on Wednesday.
Her mother reportedly made the heartbreaking discovery.
Dressed in a black sweater, army green cargo pants, and sneakers, Gellar kept a tense expression as she walked down the sidewalk, clutching her phone and wearing a black leather bag across her chest.
Her outing comes a day after she took to Instagram to honor Trachtenberg, sharing a heartfelt tribute featuring throwback set photos and a poignant Buffy quote
It also comes amid news that Trachtenberg’s cause of death may remain a mystery, as her family successfully objected to an autopsy on religious grounds.
Sarah Michelle Gellar was spotted in Los Angeles on Friday, looking solemn in her first public appearance since the tragic death of her Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star Michelle Trachtenberg
The 47-year-old actress, best known for her role as Buffy Summers, was seen leaving a hair salon in Beverly Hills just days after Trachtenberg—who played her on-screen younger sister, Dawn—was found dead in her New York City apartment on Wednesday
As a result, both the cause and manner of her death will be officially listed as 'undetermined' on her death certificate.
Reports also indicate that the actress recently underwent a liver transplant following struggles with alcohol and may have been experiencing complications.
While medical examiners conducted an external examination of the 39-year-old actress, further testing is now unlikely, leaving the circumstances surrounding her tragic passing unresolved.
Trachtenberg's spokesman told DailyMail.com: 'It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.'
Police said there is no foul play suspected in her death.
Gellar's social media messages comes after fellow Buffy star James Marsters paid a heartfelt tribute to Trachtenberg.
The 62-year-old actor hailed his former costar as 'very talented', writing on Instagram: 'My heart is heavy today. 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.
Sarah Michelle Gellar has paid tribute to her Buffy The Vampire Slayer costar Michelle Trachtenberg after she died aged 39
The veteran actress took to Instagram on Thursday morning, the day after news broke that Michelle Trachtenberg had passed after experiencing poor health following a liver transplant
Gellar shared a candid photo of the two of them being silly, with Trachtenberg having cream on her face
'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.'
Trachtenberg's Gossip Girl costar Chace Crawford, 39, shared: 'Michelle was one of a kind. I remember her coming on set for the first time and just absolutely owning it. She was a force of nature and just so so unapologetically funny and magnetic.. remembering those years with a big smile. Just a terrible loss. Love you.'
Meanwhile, Melissa Joan Hart took to social media to share a scene that they filmed together for Clarissa Explains It All, in which Trachtenberg starred as the little girl Clarissa babysat.
The 48-year-old actress - who played the lead role on the teen sitcom - wrote: 'I'm heartbroken to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg!! So young, so talented and so sweet!
'Here is a fun scene from when she was on #ClarissaExplainsItAll. 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. (sic)'
Gellar also shared a photo of Trachtenberg with their former Buffy costar Seth Green while on the set of TV series The Crazy Ones in 2014
'Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you,' said Gellar, pictured on Buffy with the late sta
Michelle Trachtenberg, James Marsters, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Amber Benson, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Head, Nicholas Brendon and Emma Caulfield on Buffy The Vampire Slayer
She later captivated audiences as Georgina Sparks, the scheming 'Witch of the Upper East Side,' in Gossip Girl, appearing alongside Blake Lively in a recurring role from 2008 to 2012.
In recent years, concerns about her health grew as she shared unsettling social media posts, with many noting her frail appearance.
Her final outing was to Sartiano's restaurant in SoHo last Thursday night.
In 2023 Michelle reprised her role in two episodes of the second (and final) season of HBO Max's Gossip Girl reboot.
