Natchez’s NYT Bestselling author Greg Iles has died – Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper

NATCHEZ — New York Times Bestselling author and Natchez resident Greg Iles died at approximately 5 a.m. Friday.

Iles succumbed during his efforts to battle multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer.

In an interview in May 2024 when his final book, “Southern Man,” published, he said he intentionally put off a stem cell transplant in order to finish his writing the book.

“I waited to do the stem cell transplant, which some people will tell you is insane, but this book is so important. What it deals with is so dangerous and is what the country is dealing with right now. It’s an important political novel. I was not going into a procedure like that, which could potentially kill me without it being finished.”

For more than a year, Iles had been in treatment preparing for a stem cell transplant, a process that depletes the body’s immunity to the point that it will accept the new stem cells, which deploy to fight the cancer.

“I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of our beloved native son, Greg Iles,” said Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson. “Greg was a talented and brilliant author who never backed away from standing for justice and being an outspoken advocate for change. 

“His books were captivating and in fact, mesmerizing. Once I would start reading one, I struggled to put it down,” Gibson said. “Sometimes I would stay up all night straining to stay awake as I turned each page. I was so blessed to call Greg a friend, not only personally but a friend to all of Natchez. We will forever miss him.”

This story will be updated when more information is available.