"The world lost a very talented author, and I feel like I have lost a dear personal friend.. Praying for her family especially Zander"
In loving memory of
Shanna Marie Hogan
Shanna Marie Hogan, 38, died Sept. 1, 2020 of a brain injury following a fall and pool accident at her Phoenix home. Her heart, kidneys and liver were given to four people who husband Matt LaRussa hopes to meet one day -- "I wanted as much of her in this world as possible."
Shanna and Matt, who were married Oct. 18, 2003, have one son, 15-month-old Zander. Shanna loved and adored her son beyond measure; she was his teacher, playmate, and moon and stars.
She also is survived by her mother Debbie and father Dann Hogan, younger brother Daniel, and grandmother Mimi. She was preceded in death by her grandfather Bob Hogan and her two puppies Rocky and Fox. Other beloved survivors include her mother-in-law Joann LaRussa and countless brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, aunts and uncles, on both sides of the family.
Whip smart and unfailingly compassionate to her family and umpteen friends, Shanna loved her dogs Milo and Fiona, days off with her husband, Harry Potter, horror movies, buying the perfect gift for others, trips to amusement parks (complete with themed costumes), popsicles, home-design projects, high tea, mentoring young writers and planning for Zander to go to space camp.
From riding a mechanical bull in Mexico to interviewing a serial killer in jail to dressing up as "NYPD" police detective Andrew Sipowicz during mock press conferences for her students, she was all in. She was a warrior when it came to protecting her family and friends.
Shanna was born in Olathe, Kansas and moved with the family to Scottsdale in March of 1989. She went on to graduate from Horizon High School in 2000, Paradise Valley Community College, and ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2005, where she later taught Introduction to Reporting.
An award-winning reporter, Shanna worked for the East Valley Tribune and Times Media Publications, also freelancing for Phoenix Magazine and Phoenix New Times.
She wrote on a vast array of topics from a home with 250,000 Christmas lights to a family of exorcists to her own camping experience with Bigfoot hunters. They can be read at: http://shannahogan.com/
She became a household name among true-crime fans when writing what would later become the New York Times bestselling book "Picture Perfect: the Jody Arias Story." She was the go-to expert for Nancy Grace and others during the Arias trial. Shanna appeared on "The View," "Dateline," "20/20," CNN, HLN, Fox News, Oprah Winfrey's Oxygen, Investigation Discovery and "The Dr. Oz Show."
Shanna wrote four true-crime books, including "Dancing with Death," "The Stranger She Loved," and "Secrets of a Marine's Wife" -- the latter two have been optioned to become movies. She also was a featured writer in the criminal anthology "The Crime Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained."
Shanna had an imagination with no bounds, a brain filled with profound thoughts, and a nurturing, caring devotion to family and friends with the goal of helping everyone live their best lives.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help support her family. https://gf.me/u/yvzcvg
A private service for family and close friends will be held.
Tributes
"So many of Shanna\'s devoted readers like me prayed our hardest that she would pull through. From the moment we first connected I simply adored her. Not only was she a phenomenally talented writer - Shanna was also a splendid person in every possible way. Although we knew each other only from a distance, we had wonderful conversations that led to a friendship which brightened my life. Shanna radiated kindness, graciousness and caring. I loved seeing her sunshiny posts sharing good news and family photos, especially all the sweet ones with Zander and Matt. Her love for them shone so brightly. I know she was the love of your life, Matt, and I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my prayers. "
"Shanna was an exceptional human being, a nautral brilliant author a great friend. She was a doting mom who loved Zander so very much. I am devastated by her untimely, sudfen and tragic death. I\'ll miss her friendship greatly. Rest In Peace Shanna. You will always be remembered. Thomas Barnes, retired Special Agent for the US Government. "
"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make. And, Shanna made a lot of love for the world to share. "
"My beautiful beautiful friend....my heart is so heavy. There are no words to express how torn up Ryan and I are. You have ALWAYS been an amazing friend to us, I hope you know that! The countless memories that we have will forever be cherished and never forgotten ? ? "
"I love you Shanna, thoughts of you will always add light in my life. "
"Matt, Zander and Debbie were Shanna\'s most favorite people, but she loved and cherished everyone she met in some way. She was a steadfast friend, brainstormer extraordinaire, fun-maker, caring, loving person who touched my life in countless ways. I was so lucky to have her friendship -- I will miss her always, but the memories are fabulous."