Writer Sally Brampton dies

Author and agony aunt Sally Brampton has died.

According to the Hastings and St Leonard’s Observer, Brampton was seen walking into the sea yesterday (10th May), although this has not been confirmed by the police.

Brampton, a journalist most recently for the Sunday Times and Psychologies magazine, published four novels and a non-fiction memoir about depression titled Shoot the Damn Dog (Bloomsbury). She also wrote about her experience of depression in this piece for the Telegraph in 2003.

Michael Fishwick, Brampton's editor at Bloomsbury, said: "We are devastated to hear of Sally’s death; to us she was always a life-enhancing presence, lighting up our lives with her high-wire personality, warmth and generosity: Shoot the Damn Dog was Sally being tough on herself, emotionally raw and deeply thoughtful at the same time, and very loving to others. That is how we shall remember her."

Her novels are Concerning Lily (Penguin), Love, Always (Heinemann), Lovesick (Arrow) and Good Grief (Penguin).

Many have paid tribute to the writer on social media, with author Jojo Moyes tweeting: "Immensely sad about Sally Brampton, kind, talented & great editor". Guardian columnist Suzanne Moore also tweeted: “Sally Brampton. An editor every writer wanted to please because she wanted the best and wrote the best herself. Very sad.”