Author LJ Smith, whose best-selling Vampire Diaries novels were turned into a hit TV show, has died at the age of 66. Lisa Jane Smith published the original four-book series, about a love triangle involving two vampire brothers and an orphaned young woman, in 1991 and 92, before releasing another Vampire Diaries trilogy in 2009-11.

Lisa Jane Smith, author of the hit supernatural series The Vampire Diaries, has died aged 66.The American writer, known as LJ Smith, created the stories of the warring vampire brothers which were turned into a popular show of the same name starring Nina Dobrev,

Author L.J. Smith, who created the 'Vampire Diaries' otherwordly book series that inspired the CW drama of the same name, died this month. She was 66.