A trans flight attendant who fronted a United Airlines trans awareness campaign committed suicide after sharing a heartbreaking post on social media with the message “I am so sorry.”
Kayleigh Scott, 25, was discovered dead at her home in Denver, Colorado, on Monday. Tributes have been paid to her.
Kayleigh appeared in a United commercial in 2020 to honor Transgender Visibility Day, which is observed on March 31.
‘Please understand that me leaving is not a reflection of you, but the result of my own inability to turn myself for the better. To Ashley, Cynthia, Regine & Sophia. I am so sorry.
‘Please remember me for the good memories we have shared, and never for my downfall. I will see you all again on the other side.’
‘To all who have commented and those watching this post, Kay has passed,’ Ashley said. ‘Thank you for your concern and outpouring of love for her. We are going to miss her so much.’
The United Airlines campaign video opened with pictures of her before and after she transitioned.
Kayleigh featured in a United Airlines campaign for transgender day of visibility on March 31 2020
Narrating the video, Kayleigh says: ‘Don’t let that smirk fool you. There was so much pain behind that sweet boy’s eyes.
‘I don’t normally post about my transition here on my feed, let alone it’s a rare sight on my stories. I used to be so embarrassed about being trans, and all I wanted was to blend in and be cis.
‘But times have changed and I’ve started looking back at the bigger picture and understanding that I do have a story to tell.’
Kayleigh’s final post ended with the note ‘Brianna, I’m coming’, in reference to her friend Brianna Moore (pictured) who took her own life in 2016, aged just 15
The video shows Kayleigh at work in her United uniform and at events to celebrate pride alongside her colleagues.
She adds: ‘My life changed for the better when I came to United as a flight attendant. With the support from the company, our business resource group for LGBTQ+ employees, and all of my loving coworkers, I was able to break free from the chains that held me.
‘And to this day, I’m living confidently as my true self.’
Kayleigh’s mom, Andrea Sylvestro, sharing a touching tribute to her ‘beautiful daughter’.
Posting to Facebook, she wrote: ‘I am so unbelievably proud to have you as my daughter, proud and amazed by everything that you have done in your life, your smile was absolutely beautiful, your laughter was unbelievably contagious, your heart was bigger than any of us could have ever understood.’
Denver Police Department said its investigation into Kayleigh’s death was ongoing and the Medical Examiner’s Office was also involved.
United Airlines said: ‘We are incredibly saddened by the tragic loss of Kayleigh Scott and extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and co-workers.’
