John O'Sullivan, a British crime reporter, died on Jan. 1. Cause of death was not released. He was 73. O'Sullivan spent most of his career working for the South Wales Echo and the BBC Wales. According to a self-written profile, he covered more than 100 murders and helped gain posthumous pardons for two men who were hanged.

Robert Greenlees Pearson, an author, speechwriter and public relations professional, died on Jan. 1. Cause of death was not released. He was 90. Pearson was at the heart of a writing scandal in 1938 for ghostwriting hundreds of theme papers for students at seven universities. He later penned speeches for President Harry S. Truman and Franklin D. Roosevelt.