Discworld Author Sir Terry Pratchett Dies At 66: Fans Want Novelist Reinstated

Author of the Discworld series, Sir Terry Pratchett passed away on March 12 at the age of 66 after years of battling with posterior cortical atrophy, a kind of Alzheimer's disease, which has been diagnosed since 2007.

According to BBC, news of the fantasy author first came out on his official Twitter account with her daughter Rhianna, the heiress of the Discworld answering the flood of condolences for the late author.

"Many thanks for all the kind words about my dad. Those last few tweets were sent with shaking hands and tear-filled eyes."

Other posts, that have been mentioned in a report by The Independent, were posted on his page saying "Terry took Death's arm and followed him through the doors and on to the black desert under the endless night.

"The End."

Though the possibility of 'assisted dying' is the most speculated cause of his death, the author's publishers said that it Pratchett succumbed to a natural death. As said in the report that he passed away silently with his cat on his bed and his grieving family members, his wife Lyn and daughter Rhianna.

"I was told by the publishers his death was entirely natural and unassisted, even though he had said in the past he wanted to go at a time of his own choosing," BBC News correspondent Nick Higham said.

Meanwhile, avid fans of the beloved author have signed a petition urging Death to "bring back" the late author. The petition, aimed at outwitting 'the petition to reinstate the English broadcaster Jeremy Clarkson' is started by the political blogger, Tom Pride, a report from The Telegraph said.

"If there was any justice in the world, the petition would be bigger than Jeremy Clarkson's. But there isn't, so it won't. However, I'm told these petitions can be quite effective - so you never know, it might just work" Pride wrote.

In the petition, fans can write special messages paying tribute to the author.

Sir Terry published more than 70 books during his career and has his last book last summer. In previous reports, Sir Terry Pratchett bestowed the rights to continue the Discworld series to his daughter, Rhianna. He is considered the top two best-selling author in the UK next to JK Rowling.