• Patton Oswalt's wife died suddenly in her sleep.

Patton Oswalt's wife died suddenly in her sleep. (Photo : GETTY IMAGES/GREGG DEGUIRE)

The popular true-crime author and wife of comedian and actor Patton Oswalt, Michelle McNamara, 46, was found dead under mysterious circumstances at the couple's home in Los Angeles on April 22, Friday. 

Preliminary reports stated that McNamara passed away in her sleep. The friends and family of the late celebrity are said to be in a state of shock over the sudden death since she was reportedly known to be free of known medical conditions, and did not show any prior warning signs that her health might have been in danger.

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"Her passing was a complete shock to her family and friends, who loved her dearly," Kevin McLaughlin, the late writer's publicist told CNN on April 23, Saturday.

Ed Winter, spokesman for the Los Angeles County coroner's office, has declared that the exact cause of McNamara's death is still not out since the medical examiner's office is so backed up with cases that it might be months before officials know why the late writer died suddenly, The Hollywood Reporter reported. Toxicology reports are also awaited at the moment.

McNamara was known for penning down about real-life murderers and rapists. With a bachelor degree from the University of Notre Dame and master degree in creative writing from the University of Minnesota under her belt, she was also the founder of website, True Crime Diary.

Although the site covered breaking stories as well as cold cases, McNamara admitedly steered away from famous murders and instead focused more on mysteries that others had either overlooked or had not gained public attention. She had popularly written about the Golden State Killer and the infamous 1976 murder of nurse Melanie Howell.

The late writer got married to the "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" actor in September 2005. Since the tragic incident, Oswalt, who otherwise is quite active in the online world, has been uncharacteristically silent on social media.

The news of McNamara's death prompted an outpouring of grief on social media. She is survived by a seven-year-old daughter.


Meanwhile, watch one of Oswalt's comedy act's clips below: