Alice Stewart, a CNN political commentator who worked on several GOP presidential campaigns, died Saturday at age 58.
The frequent “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer” guest was found dead outdoors in the Bellevue neighborhood in northern Virginia, law enforcement officials told the news organization.
They believe she suffered a medical emergency and no foul play is suspected.
“Alice was a very dear friend and colleague to all of us at CNN,” Mark Thompson, the network’s CEO, said in an email to staff Saturday.
“A political veteran and an Emmy Award-winning journalist who brought an incomparable spark to CNN’s coverage, known across our bureaus not only for her political savvy, but for her unwavering kindness. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss.”
What illnesses the political commentator may have been battling is unknown, but her death appeared to be sudden. Stewart had appeared on Blitzer’s show just one day before she died.
“It’s always a sunny day when you can join the great @wolfblitzer on #CNN with @mariacardonadc!” Stewart said in her final Instagram post.
The Georgia native has been a fixture of CNN since joining the media organization ahead of the 2016 election.
Stewart began her career as a local reporter and producer in Georgia and as a news anchor in Little Rock, Arkansas before moving into the political realm, CNN said.
She served as then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s communications director before assuming a similar role for his 2008 presidential run.
Stewart also worked as communications director for the 2012 presidential bids of former Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and then former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, before fulfilling the same role for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s 2016 campaign.
Stweart’s high-profile CNN colleagues were quick to express their condolences on social media.
“My heart is broken over the passing of our dear colleague Alice Stewart. We’ve been friends going back to the 2012 campaign,” CNN Newsroom anchor Jim Acosta wrote, referencing his time working on Sen. Mitt Romney’s campaign.
