Writer Michael Baigent, who sued over bestselling ‘Da Vinci Code,’ dies at age 65 in UK

LONDON – Writer Michael Baigent, who gained attention for launching a lawsuit contending that “The Da Vinci Code” stole ideas from his own book, has died of a brain hemorrhage at age 65.

Baigent co-wrote the 1982 nonfiction book “The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail,” which explores theories that Jesus married Mary Magdalene, the couple had a child and the bloodline survives.

In 2006 Baigent and co-author Richard Leigh made international headlines when they sued Dan Brown’s publisher for copyright infringement, claiming that Brown “appropriated the architecture” of their book. Brown had to fly to London to be cross-examined in court, but a judge eventually ruled against Baigent and Leigh.

Baigent’s family said Monday the author, from New Zealand, died on Jun. 17 in Brighton in southern England.