Conservative writer Bre Payton died suddenly Friday at age 26 after being diagnosed with an illness.

Payton, a staff writer at The Federalist, was discovered unconscious by friend Morgan Murtaugh, early Thursday morning and was taken to a San Diego hospital.

Murtaugh shared on Twitter that Payton had been diagnosed with H1N1 flu, commonly known as swine flu, before she died suddenly on Friday.

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

Payton, a regular guest on Hill.TV’s “Rising” and Fox News, had appeared on One America News on Wednesday.

{mosads}“Bre brightened the lives of everyone around her. She was joyful, hard-working, and compassionate, and she leaves behind friends and colleagues for whom she brought nothing but sweetness and light,” The Federalist wrote in an obituary published Friday afternoon.

Media members tweeted their condolences after Murtaugh shared the news of Payton’s death. 

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

Bre Payton passed away from a sudden illness. Bre is one of the kindest, most thoughtful souls I’ve ever encountered. She made a positive impact on every person she met, her smile, her love of LIFE, God, & passion for news was contagious. SHE WILL be missed! Pray for her family. pic.twitter.com/fPjifm65QS

— Stephanie Hamill (@STEPHMHAMILL) December 28, 2018 

I’m told that people who saw Bre Payton just days ago said she seemed healthy on Wednesday. She was only 26 years old; a tragic reminder going into 2019 that life is a very precious thinghttps://t.co/epWhW3VNvX

— Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) December 28, 2018 

Such a tragic loss. @Bre_payton was a wonderful person. https://t.co/jDao9EoY54

— Sarah Westwood (@sarahcwestwood) December 28, 2018

Just awful. Very very sorry for your loss.

— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) December 28, 2018

I am so very sorry for your loss. Bre was always so nice in the greenroom. I will be praying for her family and friends. I know the terrible pain of losing a best friend. My heart breaks for you all.

— Lisa Boothe (@LisaMarieBoothe) December 28, 2018

Absolutely devastated to hear @Bre_payton has passed. Such a sweet, beautiful soul, a great writer and a wonderful human. #RIP ❤️

— Kennedy (@KennedyNation) December 28, 2018 

We are devastated and heartbroken by the news of Bre Payton’s death today. She was kind, gentle, and joyful. Our only comfort is the knowledge that she is now peacefully resting in the arms of her Savior. We grieve her loss deeply, but rejoice in her eternal salvation in Christ.

— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) December 28, 2018

Payton graduated from Patrick Henry College with a degree in political journalism.

The California native is survived by her parents and four siblings.