Lisa Jane Smith "L.J. Smith," the author of the Vampire Diaries book series, died on Saturday, March 8, at 66 years old in Walnut Creek, California. Smith's partner, Julie Divola, as well as her sister, Judy Clifford, told the New York Times she "died in a hospital after enduring the cascading effects of a rare autoimmune disease for a decade."

She wrote seven books in a series that went on to be a hit TV show. After she was replaced by ghostwriters, she reclaimed her characters online in fan fiction.

L.J. Smith, the writer of “The Vampire Diaries” books that were adapted into a television series on The CW, died March 8 at the age of 66. Smith’s partner, Julie Divola, and sister, Judy Clifford, confirmed the death to The New York Times.

She was an American author of young-adult literature, with popular works including the "Night World" series, "The Vampire Diaries," "The Secret Circle," and New York Time's bestselling work "Dark Visions.

The novels were adapted into a hit CW show of the same name starring Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley and more

LJ Smith, the author behind the beloved and best-selling The Vampire Diaries series, has died. She was 66. The writer had been battling a rare autoimmune disease for a decade. Her death on March 8 was confirmed by her partner,