The suicide note from a transgender flight attendant who ran a United Airlines ad campaign contained a harrowing reference to her friend, who also took her own life a few years ago.
Kayleigh Scott, 25, was found dead at her home in Denver, Colorado on Monday after sharing a message online that began, “As I draw my last breaths and leave this living earth, I want to apologize to everyone who that I have disappointed. ‘
The post ended with the words “Brianna, here I come.” The news was in reference to Kayleigh’s girlfriend, Brianna Elizabeth Moore, who took her own life in February 2016, aged just 15.
Brianna had battled depression and a moving fundraiser set up in her memory said: “She was choking on the pressures life puts on all of us. Her young heart was filled with despair. Her young mind was clouded with pain.’
Relatives of Brianna started the fundraiser shortly after her death to raise money for suicide prevention and to support young people’s mental health.
A tribute was paid to 25-year-old Kayleigh Scott, a trans flight attendant who led a United Airlines campaign, after she was found dead at her home in Denver, Colorado on Monday
Kayleigh’s last post ended with the note “Brianna, here I come,” a nod to her friend Brianna Moore (pictured), who took her own life in 2016 when she was just 15
A post on Kayleigh’s Instagram and Facebook pages hours before her death began, “As I breathe my last and leave this living earth, I want to apologize to all I have let down.”
A tribute said: “Brianna was beautiful, both in looks and at heart. She was brilliant and quick-witted. She was kind and sweet, and she cared. Brianna took care. She took care of her family and friends.
“She also cared about everyone and everyone she came in contact with. She was a listener, a helper and she was always ready to give advice and help to those who needed her. She touched so many lives.”
The site added: “Depression in young people is a real illness. Teenage suicide is a serious problem…
“That must have an end. We need to take this seriously and raise awareness. We need to talk to the young people in our lives. We need to reach out to them and get help when they need it.”
Kayleigh garnered attention in 2020 after appearing in a commercial celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility, which falls on March 31.
She says she’s “embarrassed to be trans” and wanted to “get involved” before she was “able to break free of the chains that were holding me.”
Her latest post, shared on both Facebook and Instagram, said: “I’m so sorry I couldn’t be better. For those I love, I’m sorry I couldn’t be stronger. To those who gave me everything, I’m sorry that my efforts have not been returned.
“Please understand that my departure is not a reflection of you, but the result of my own inability to change for the better. To Ashley, Cynthia, Regine & Sophia. I am so sorry.
“Please think of me for the good memories we shared and never for my downfall. I’ll see you all again on the other side.’
In a touching tribute to her “beautiful daughter”, Kayleigh’s mother Andrea Sylvestro said: “I am so incredibly proud to have you as my daughter proud and amazed at everything you have done in your life your smile was absolutely beautiful , your laughter was incredibly contagious, your heart was bigger than any of us could ever have understood.’
Friends initially responded to her social media post with messages of support and offers of help for Kayleigh, with some also reaching out to authorities with their concerns.
But a few hours later, her sister, Ashley Scott, confirmed that she had died.
“To everyone who commented on this post and those viewing this post, Kay passed,” Ashley said. “Thank you for your concern and love for her. We will miss her so much.’
United Airlines’ campaign video had started with images of Kayleigh before and after her move.
In a touching tribute to her “beautiful daughter,” Kayleigh’s mother Andrea Sylvestro said, “I am so incredibly proud to have you as my daughter, proud and amazed at everything you have done in your life.”
Kayleigh was found dead at her Colorado home on Monday after posting a message on social media that read, “I’m so sorry.”
Kayleigh was featured in a United Airlines campaign for Transgender Visibility Day on March 31, 2020
Kayleigh narrates the video, saying, “Don’t let that grin fool you. There was so much pain behind this sweet boy’s eyes.
“I don’t typically post anything about my transition here on my feed, let alone that it’s a rare sight in 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 to look back at the bigger picture and understand that I have a story to tell.”
The video shows Kayleigh at work in her United uniform and attending events to celebrate Pride with her colleagues.
She adds: “My life changed for the better when I joined United as a flight attendant. With the support of the company, our business resource group for LGBTQ+ employees, and all of my loving employees, I was able to break free from the chains that bound me.
“And to this day, I live confidently as my true self.”
United Airlines said, “We are incredibly saddened by the tragic loss of Kayleigh Scott and offer our deepest condolences to her family, friends and employees.”
- If you or someone you know is having trouble, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988