Crime writer Michelle McNamara dies at 46

NEW YORK — Michelle McNamara, a crime writer and wife of comedian and actor Patton Oswalt, has died at her home in Los Angeles, according to Oswalt’s publicist.

McNamara, 46, died in her sleep Thursday, Kevin McLaughlin of Main Stage Public Relations said Friday. No cause was given, but McLaughlin said her passing “was a complete shock to her family and friends, who loved her dearly.”

McNamara graduated from the University of Notre Dame and received a master’s degree in creative writing from the University of Minnesota. She founded the website True Crime Diary, which covers both breaking stories and cold cases.

In a 2007 online interview, McNamara said she started the blog almost as a lark. “I wanted to get more involved in the cases that were fueling my own curiosity,” she said.

She didn’t focus on the big celebrity murder cases but ones that were smaller and out of the public eye. She wrote about the “Golden State Killer” and the 1976 slaying of nurse Melanie Howell.

“It’s the ones that really don’t get that much attention that interest me because I think what’s interesting about them is, there’s more stuff to be unearthed that hasn’t been in the public yet and you can do it,” McNamara said.

Oswalt’s TV credits include “Veep,” “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” and “The King of Queens.” He also appeared in films including “Magnolia,” “Starsky & Hutch” and “Ratatouille.” McNamara and Oswalt married in 2005.

Besides her husband, McNamara is survived by a 7-year-old daughter, Alice.