L.J. Smith dead: ‘Vampire Diaries’ book series author was 66
Author L.J. Smith, who created the “Vampire Diaries” book series that inspired the CW drama of the same name and contributed to pop culture’s obsession with vampires, has died. Smith died March 8 in a hospital in Walnut Creek, Calif., The Times confirmed. A statement shared to Smith’s website says she died “peacefully” after “a