‘HEARTBREAKING’

Rosie O’Donnell Says ‘Harriet the Spy’ Co-Star, 39, ‘Struggled’ Before Tragic Death

O’Donnell starred with a 10-year-old Michelle Trachtenberg in 1996’s “Harriet the Spy.”

Rosie O’Donnell is speaking out about the “heartbreaking” death of her co-star Michelle Trachtenberg, who died Wednesday of unknown causes at age 39. The Buffy the Vampire and Gossip Girl star headlined Harriet the Spy with O’Donnell in 1996, when Trachtenberg was just 10 years old. “I loved her very much,” O’Donnell said in a statement to People, “She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.” O’Donnell didn’t elaborate on the late actress’ “struggle” to the magazine. However, authorities are not treating her death as suspicious and sources told ABC News that Trachtenberg underwent a liver transplant recently and may have been suffering complications. Kim Cattrall, who starred alongside Trachtenburg in the Disney movie Ice Princess, posted a photo of to remember her Wednesday with the capiton, “Rest in peace sweet Michelle 💔.” Buffy star David Boreanaz and Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick also expressed their condolences on Instagram. Last year, Trachtenberg attracted unwelcome attention when social media users speculated about her health in response to a photo she’d uploaded to Instagram. “I am happy and healthy. Check yourself haters,” she wrote at the time.