Brandy Vaughan, a well-known anti-vaccination activist who founded a California nonprofit, has died, according to posts from multiple friends and supporters. Vaughan was known for her public stance against vaccination through Learn the Risk, a nonprofit organization she founded in response to mandatory vaccine laws. She was a former Merck sales representative, according to her bio on the Learn the Risk website.

Her Facebook page explains, “Former pharmaceutical insider on a mission to create a healthier world one person at a time by educating on the real risks of pharma drugs and vaccines.” You can find her website here.

“The cause of death is pending toxicology but appears natural,” Raquel Zick, public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, told Heavy. She said she could not be more specific about the nature of the natural cause of death but did specify that “suicide is not a natural cause of death.”

News of Vaughan’s death began spreading on December 8, 2020.

People stressed the importance of her work in tributes, and supporters considered her a whistleblower of sorts. “This women put her life on the line to spread truth. RIP thank you for what you have done for humanity,” wrote one on a GoFundMe page in her name.

Another woman wrote, “A true hero, inspiring me to learn more and be braver. The time I had to learn from her and to chat with her and made a lasting impact. Her legacy will live on and on. May she receive justice.”

Another wrote, “Thank you for fighting the tough fight against big Pharma!”