Story highlights Michelle McNamara founded the website TrueCrimeDiary.com

She steered away from celebrity murders, focused on little-known cases

(CNN) Michelle McNamara, the crime writer who founded the website TrueCrimeDiary.com and the wife of popular comedian Patton Oswalt, died Thursday, her husband's publicist confirmed.

The 46-year-old passed away in her sleep at her Los Angeles home.

"Her passing was a complete shock to her family and friends, who loved her dearly," Kevin McLaughlin of Main Stage Public Relations told CNN on Saturday.

No cause of death was provided.

McNamara, who earned her masters degree in creative writing from the University of Minnesota, was fascinated by crime stories. Her website covered both breaking stories and cold cases.

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