Jay Cohen Speaks Out After Michelle Trachtenberg's Death

Almost five months after actress Michelle Trachtenberg's devastating death, her long-time partner, Jay Cohen, is speaking out. In an emotional and rare message Monday, shared on his private Instagram page, Cohen gave the world a look at his grieving heart and where he is finding strength with those around him. The Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer star died in February at the age of 39.

The cause of death was complications of diabetes mellitus, the New York City Medical Examiner's office said. Her sudden death has been a shock to fans, friends, and acquaintances, but none more than Cohen, her partner and partner at Gersh Talent Agency. In a deeply emotional post dated July 10, Cohen didn't name Michelle outright, but very clearly addressed his ongoing healing process. "I am so grateful to all of you who are in my life sharing our common joys, helping me with tragedies, and healing from pain and grief," he wrote.

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The understated, self-reflective tenor says much about the private, quiet nature of the relationship they had, which was, for the most part, kept out of the spotlight. However, in the comments, Jay softened a bit, discussing how deeply Michelle was loved. "Michelle was loved by so many," he wrote, vowing to post more about her memory one day soon. For Cohen, Trachtenberg, who had offered a tart peek at her romance with Cohen just weeks before her death, was the world. They appeared rarely in public as a couple, but to friends and family members, they were inseparable.

Jay's message is a sobering reminder of the private grief that lasts long after the news cycle moves on. At a time when he says far too much of our lives is overexposed in the digital age, his words are chosen with care. A man grappling with overwhelming loss, yet thankful for those who have enveloped him in a cocoon of support. While the world at large continues to mourn Michelle Trachtenberg's fantastic work on TV and in movies, Jay Cohen's subtle tribute to her story is deeply human, one of love, loss, and the long, slow journey to healing.