'Such a beautiful soul': Bre Payton, staff writer for The Federalist, has passed away

It is with an incredibly heavy heart that we report Bre Payton, staff writer for The Federalist, has passed away at age 26:

Thank you everyone for your prayers. It is with a heavy heart that I type this. Unfortunately Bre has passed. Please send prayers to her family. Rest in paradise you beautiful soul. https://t.co/pMFCZNaqKl

— Morgan Murtaugh (@morganmurtaugh) December 28, 2018

According to a website set up by Bre’s family, she was diagnosed with H1N1 flu and possibly meningitis yesterday:

Around 8:30 this morning, December 27th, Bre’s friend went into her room and found her unresponsive and barely breathing. She immediately called 911 and Bre was taken to the hospital where she was admitted to the ICU, sedated & intubated, and doctors began working up a diagnosis. After a CT scan and hours of testing, they have determined she has the H1N1 flu and possibly meningitis.

From Ben Domenech, publisher of The Federalist:

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

And from Ben’s wife, Meghan McCain:

Ben and I are absolutely gutted and horrified by this news. Our prayers for @Bre_payton and her family. We are less without her – in every possible way. A wonderful, fearless, vibrant, intelligent young woman. Sending prayers to all of her family and friends during this darkness. https://t.co/K5nfRiB7gy

— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) December 28, 2018

She will be missed:

Bre was such a beautiful soul. She was welcoming to anyone new at the @FDRLST, worked incredibly hard and was so young with such a bright future. Will miss her. Prayers to her family and loved ones. @Bre_payton ? https://t.co/05eGJzsuqJ

— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) December 28, 2018

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

I am just learning the news about @bre_payton and I am absolutely stunned. I got to know Bre this year on @HillTVLive Rising and she was one of our absolute favorites. Brilliant, insightful, funny and kind. I can’t believe she is gone from this Earth so prematurely. RIP Bre.

— Krystal Ball (@krystalball) December 28, 2018

Learning that Bre Payton has passed away. There are no words. Such an terrible loss she was such a wonderful human being. God Bless her and her family. https://t.co/9yhW5rbCXn

— Charles V Payne (@cvpayne) December 28, 2018

I am devastated by the sudden and completely unexpected passing of my friend @Bre_payton. Condolences to her family and everyone at the @FDRLST. https://t.co/rzYigBFnXl

— Robby Soave (@robbysoave) December 28, 2018

.@Bre_payton made the world a little brighter. It’s just an incredible loss.

— Alyssa E. Hackbarth (@AlyssaEinDC) December 28, 2018

God be with her family. Bre Payton was a wonderful human being. How utterly awful. https://t.co/Brptyne2mB

— Doctor Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) December 28, 2018

Our prayers are with Bre’s family and all of her co-workers. Such a tragedy.

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