A news writer, who was a former Citrus College Clarion editor died at age 26 on Dec. 28 in San Diego due to an illness.
Bre Payton, a conservative staff writer for the online publication The Federalist, was found unconscious by her friend, Morgan Murtaugh, at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 27.
On CaringBridge.org, doctors determined that Payton had the H1N1 flu and meningitis after hours of CT scanning and testing.
Murtaugh confirmed Payton’s death in a Twitter post at 11:27 a.m. Dec. 28.
Payton was a features/sports editor of the Clarion during the fall 2011 semester. She was a photographer and a staff writer the semester before. Her early works included a feature about an athlete staying positive despite injury, behind-the-scenes photography for a play, and multiple opinions/editorials such as the one about the Amazon Tax.
Natalie Miranda, Citrus College Clarion editor-in-chief during 2011, said that despite Payton’s editor positions, Payton was always meant to be a political journalist.
“Bre was so sweet, so smart, and so inquisitive … I valued her point of view, her friendship, and all she brought to our newsroom. Bre was always ready to defend her stance with facts, but respected the thoughts of those around her,” Miranda said.
“Her voice was needed, and she will be missed, but Bre has certainly left her mark in the news world.”
Emily Rios, former Citrus College Clarion instructional assistant and managing editor, also worked alongside Payton and Miranda.
“The first thing you noticed about Bre was her smile,” Rios said.
“She was always smiling and you couldn’t not be happy when she was around … she was always eager to learn. She took pride in her work and was never afraid to share her opinions. She was strong in her beliefs and opinions but was always open to hearing the views of others.”
Miranda and Rios tweeted in remembrance to Payton.
Never, at the age of 27, would I think I’d get the news of an old @CCClarion family member passing. The world lost a beautiful soul. https://t.co/K9tDmMuBQo via @skbaer
— Natalie Miranda (@natalieroxann) December 29, 2018
I was lucky enough to be the teaching assistant when @Bre_payton joined the @CCClarion the 1st thing you noticed is she always had a smile on her face and was always enthusiastic about stories she was writing. Sending love/prayers to all who knew her
— Emily Rios (@emilycrios) December 29, 2018
Those who once taught Payton at Citrus were shocked to hear the news of Payton’s passing.
Meg O’Neil, former Citrus College Clarion, Logos Magazine adviser and communications professor, remembered Payton as a solid student and as a person of integrity.
“Bre in my mind was a thoroughly good person,” O’Neil said. “She ran for editor-in chief but did not get it. I feared that she would not return, but she did. That was when I had actually realized, she had courage.
“She was a good writer from the get-go and was a person of character. In a way, she captured my heart. She was basically a good person. She expressed her views fiercely, but they were always based on fact … I really liked Bre a lot.
“She always cooperated with others even if she’s the only one to hold the opinion. She was there for the Clarion.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“I’m so saddened by her premature death. It’s a loss not only for the Clarion and the community, but for the conservative voice. Bre loved God, her family and her country. We were robbed of a leader at a very tender age.”[/perfectpullquote]
After Payton attended Citrus College, she transferred to Patrick Henry College, a Christian college located in Purcellville, Virginia.
Patrick Henry College posted an article in memory to Payton on Dec. 30.
Dr. Les Sillars, a journalism professor at Patrick Henry College, had taught many of Payton’s classes during her time there.
“We were surprised neither by her success nor the impact she had on the people she encountered. That’s just who she was,” Sillars said.
“Bre is a great model for aspiring young journalists everywhere; she showed that it is possible to be a faithful Christian and a great journalist. We were privileged to know her, even for a little while, and we’ll miss her a lot.”
The Federalist released a post in remembrance to Payton on Dec. 28.
“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 post said.
Payton was also a regular guest speaker to Fox News Channel, MSNBC, CNN and One America News Network. She hosted an episode of “Tipping Point” on OANN Dec. 26, two days prior to her death.
