Bre Payton, 26, a popular staff writer at the Federalist website, died Friday following a hospitalization for the H1N1 flu virus, also known as swine flu, according to the outlet’s publisher.
“Bre has passed,” publisher Ben Domenech announced as he tweeted a photo of Payton. “We are devastated. Last we saw her, she was her funny, smart, vivacious self. Now lost to us so suddenly.” Payton was taken to a hospital early Thursday morning in San Diego after a friend found her unresponsive in her home.
Bre has passed. We are devastated. Last we saw her, she was her funny, smart, vivacious self. Now lost to us so suddenly. pic.twitter.com/2qJ624A4Dl
— Ben Domenech (@bdomenech) December 28, 2018
She received a CT scan and hours of testing, after which doctors “determined Payton had the H1N1 flu and possibly meningitis,” according to an entry for her on the online donation site caringbridge.org.
Since news of her sudden hospitalization broke, many of Payton’s colleagues at the Federalist, a conservative site specializing in politics, culture, and religion, and other outlets have posted tributes to her on social media. “Please pray for our dear @Bre_payton and her family,” founder Sean Davis wrote.
Please pray for our dear @Bre_payton and her family. https://t.co/3s2WlIAuAh
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) December 28, 2018
“I am in complete shock that we lost this beautiful soul, and am comforted only by the faith she had in the Lord,” said reporter Kelsey Harkness, who co-hosted a podcast with Payton.
My podcast co-host. My Problematic Woman in crime. My birthday twin. My very dear friend. At just 26, @Bre_payton was youger than me, but felt more like my big sister. I am in complete shock that we lost this beautiful soul, and am comforted only by the faith she had in the Lord. pic.twitter.com/8rUNejejdu
— Kelsey Harkness (@kelseyjharkness) December 28, 2018
Payton was a frequent contributor to the Federalist and appeared on cable news networks several times a month. She had previously worked as a reporter for watchdog.org and had a degree in political journalism from Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Va.
