Her death was confirmed Friday by the City Hall in Monroeville, Alabama, where she lived.
In
a statement, Lee's family said, "The family of Nelle Harper Lee, of
Monroeville, Alabama, announced today, with great sadness, that Ms. Lee
passed away in her sleep early this morning. Her passing was
unexpected. She remained in good basic health until her passing. The
family is in mourning and there will be a private funeral service in the
upcoming days, as she had requested."
Added
nephew Hank Conner in the statement, "This is a sad day for our family.
America and the world knew Harper Lee as one of the last century's
most beloved authors. We knew her as Nelle Harper Lee, a loving member
of our family, a devoted friend to the many good people who touched her
life, and a generous soul in our community and our state. We will miss
her dearly."
Reaction from
people moved by Lee's work, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Congressman
John Lewis (both Alabama natives), actor Matthew Modine, author John
Green and Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, who had been jailed in
Iran, was swift.
