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As previously reported, Michelle Trutchenberg passed away this week at the age of 39.
The actress’s mother found her body in an apartment in New York City on Wednesday.
The cause of Michelle’s death remains unknown, but fans began tying together information in an attempt to understand the tragedy.
Michelle had a huge fan base and had over a million followers on Instagram. So her life was often subject to intense scrutiny, for better or worse.

And much has been done in the fact that the former child star has reportedly been fighting serious health issues in recent years.
Concerns about Trachtenberg spiked last year when she posted an Instagram photo that looked significantly different from when she was last seen.
In the wake of her death, several outlets reported that Michelle had undergone a liver transplant over the past year.
Was Michelle Trutchenberg an alcoholic?


Rumors about the transplant led many to conclude that Michelle is fighting alcohol addiction, but it is important to note that we are not sure if that is true or not.
Many other health issues may have led Michel to request a transplant (if the procedure is reported more accurately).
Either way, you may not know exactly what happened to Michelle, as her family treats her death as a private matter and declines to do so.
“Families demand privacy for their losses,” a Trachtenberg representative said. E! news today. “There are no further details at this time.”


The situation touches on intense debate on social media.
Michelle’s death sparks a fierce debate about x
While many users defend their family’s rights to privacy, others claim that Michelle’s fans are borrowing explanations.
And while some say it’s not one of our concerns that Michelle is fighting alcoholism, others hope that families can address issues publicly to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction.
“Michelle Trutchenberg struggled with alcoholism and was sure he would go out drinking after liver surgery. It’s 2025. It’s not like it’s taboo to talk about addiction anymore, and if you think you know someone who’s addicted, speak up. Don’t be ashamed,” he said. Written by one X user (Although there is no evidence that Michelle recently said, “I was sure she would go out drinking).
“If Michelle Trutchenberg wanted to live, she would have stopped drinking. Now she wasted the liver that could save her child.” Another I gave my opinion horribly.


And since this is 2025, many users have found a way to turn this tragedy into a political issue.
“I’m sorry about Michelle Trutchenberg, but I’m mad too. How can alcoholics get a liver transplant, but can anyone who needs a heart transplant be denied and die to reject the Covid vaccine?” I wrote one anti-Vaxxer.
“It’s really annoying to everyone who says that Michel Tratchenberg’s liver transplant is caused by being alcoholic. If this is true. I have severe liver disease I’m a tea total and mine was caused by something unusual that was once (no longer since Covid, and I’m not jabed) MCAS!” Another person has been added.
It’s too early to tell Michelle what happened, but again, we may not get a satisfactory answer.
That said, fans’ curiosity is understandable and perhaps even inevitable. Hopefully, fans will show respect for Michelle and her family in these discussions.