Director Lynn Shelton, 54, dies

Lynn Shelton has died. She was 54 years old.

The film and TV director who had credits on popular titles such as Your Sister's Sister, Laggies and most recently, the television drama Little Fires Everywhere, died on Friday in Los Angeles from a previously unidentified blood disorder, her publicist Adam Kersh said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In a statement, her creative and romantic partner, Marc Maron said Lynn collapsed after having been ill for a week adding that her death wasn't related to Covid-19, reports Indie Wire.

"I loved her very much as I know many of you did as well. It's devastating. I am levelled, heartbroken and in complete shock and don't really know how to move forward in this moment," he said. "She was a beautiful, kind, loving, charismatic artist. Her spirit was pure joy. She made me happy. I made her happy. We were happy. I made her laugh all the time. We laughed a lot. We were starting a life together. I really can't believe what is happening. This is a horrendous, sad loss."

Lynn was a leading voice in the independent film industry. Her career took off after the 2009 film Humpday, which was acquired by Magnolia Pictures for distribution and went on to screen in the Director's Fortnight section at Cannes and receive the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award in 2010.

Lynn also directed episodes of popular television shows including Glow, Mad Men, Master of None, Fresh Off the Boat, New Girl, The Morning Show and, notably, Little Fires Everywhere starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington, The Guardian reports.