To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee elder abuse claims probed

US officials are investigating claims that Harper Lee is the subject of elder abuse after news of a sequel to her book To Kill a Mockingbird surfaced.

Author Harper Lee smiling during ceremony honouring four new members of the Alabama Academy of Honour at the Capitol in Montgomery, Alabama, USA 20 Aug 2007.

US officials are investigating claims that Harper Lee is the subject of elder abuse after news of a sequel to her book To Kill a Mockingbird surfaced.

The New York Times reports that Alabama officials have launched an investigation after a complaint of elder abuse was filed regarding the upcoming publication of Go Set a Watchman.

Movie adaptation ... Gregory Peck and Mary Badham in 1962 film To Kill A Mockingbird. Picture: Supplied

Beloved book ... To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Picture: Supplied

Investigators interviewed Lee last month at her assisted living facility where she resides as well as employees and several friends.

The complainant is said to be a doctor who believes Lee is infirm. She suffered a stroke in 2007 which caused her vision and hearing problems.

However, one source told the Times that Lee appeared capable of understanding questions and providing answers to investigators.

Honoured ... US President George W Bush (L) presents the 2007 Presidential Medal of Freedom to novelist Harper Lee, author of book To Kill A Mockingbird in 2007. Picture: Supplied

It comes after publisher Harper Collins announced last month that it would release a follow-up to her classic book To Kill a Mockingbird. The book, entitled Go Set a Watchman, was allegedly written more than 50 years ago, before Lee wrote To Kill a Mockingbird, and follows the story of Scout as an adult.

However many are suspicious about the timing of the book, which will be released in July, as it comes just months after the death of Lee’s sister, Alice, who looked after her affairs after her stroke.

Lee has always been notoriously private and never published another book after To Kill a Mockingbird. Many were left asking questions as to why the author would decide to publish the 50-year-old manuscript now?

Lee has only given statements about the novel through her lawyer, Tonja B. Carter.

To Kill a Mockingbird was turned into a film starring Gregory Peck as lawyer Atticus Finch, for which he won the Best Actor Oscar in 1963.

Good man ... Gregory Peck is shown as lawyer Atticus Finch, a small-town southern lawyer who defends a black man accused of rape in To Kill a Mockingbird. Picture: AP

Originally published as To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee elder abuse claims probed