True Crime Author Shanna Hogan, 38, Dies Following Tragic Accident

Shanna Hogan, a New York Times best-selling author, has died. She was 38.

Her friend Kathleen “Katie” Mayer told People that Hogan died following a tragic swimming accident at her Phoenix home.

Hogan was reportedly in the pool with son Zander, 1, when she fell and hit her head. Her husband Matt LaRussa found Zander on the side of the pool with a life vest on, and Shanna submerged in the water. He performed CPR until first responders arrived.

Shanna was rushed to the hospital and spent time in an ICU, but ultimately passed away on September 1. According to her obituary, “Her heart, kidneys and liver were given to four people who husband Matt LaRussa hopes to meet one day.”

Matt also opened up about the loss on Facebook, writing, “I am so broken by losing Shanna my best friend for almost twenty years. But I know the her gifts have already save 4 people and I know their will be more people she will save. I would give anything in the world to have her back and hold her for ever, but that was not our story. I am so thankful for the 20 years. And have so many memories that I will never forget and be sure to teach our son who Shanna was and to be a great man. I will never forget her.”

He also shared a letter he read to her just before she passed, “You are the light of my life and today I have to say goodbye to your physical body. Since the day we meet we were inseparable. To this day we had a love that anyone that knew us knew we would be together forever. Shanna you are my moon and stars and that will never change… You are a wonderful mother and Baby Z will always know who you were and how much you love him He was everything to you and me. I promise to do raise him the way I know you would want him raised… I will always be grateful for the 20 years we had together. You are my little poodle dumpling and I wish miss you forever. We will meet again and spend eternity together. But that will be a long time. I need to raise our son. I love you more than anything in this world. I love you. Your best friend Matt.”

You can read his entire letter here.

Hogan, an adjunct professor at Arizona State University and a former reporter, wrote the true crime books “Dancing with Death," “The Stranger She Loved,” and “Secrets of a Marine's Wife.” She is best known for “Picture Perfect: The Jodi Arias Story,” which made the New York Times Best Sellers list.

Shanna also appeared as an expert on “The View,” “Dateline,” “20/20,” various Investigation Discovery shows, and more.