Trans flight attendant, 25, who gained fame in United Airlines commercial kills herself
A trans flight attendant who fronted a United Airlines campaign about trans awareness has taken her own life after sharing a heartbreaking post to social media with the message ‘I am so sorry’.
Tributes have been paid to Kayleigh Scott, 25, after she was found dead at her home in Denver, Colorado, on Monday.
Kayleigh appeared in a United commercial in 2020 to celebrate Transgender Visibility Day, which falls on March 31.
A harrowing post to her Instagram and Facebook pages hours before she died said: ‘As I take my final breaths and exit this living earth, I would like to apologize to everyone I let down.
‘I’m so sorry I couldn’t be better. To those that I love, I am sorry I could not be stronger. To those that gave me their everything, I am sorry my effort was not reciprocated.
Tributes have been paid to Kayleigh Scott, 25, a trans flight attendant who fronted a United Airlines campaign, after she was found dead at her home in Denver, Colorado, on Monday
A post to Kayleigh’s Instagram and Facebook pages hours before she died began: ‘As I take my final breaths and exit this living earth, I would like to apologize to everyone I let down’
Please understand that leaving me 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.
She concluded the note with the words, ‘Brianna, I’m coming’, in reference to her friend Brianna Moore, who took her own life aged 15 in February 2016.
Friends initially responded with messages of support and offers of help for Kayleigh, and several also contacted authorities with their concerns about the post.
But several hours later her sister, Ashley Scott, confirmed that she had passed away.
‘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.
In the United film, Kayleigh says: ‘My life changed for the better when I came to United as a flight attendant’
Kayleigh was found dead at her home in Colorado on Monday after posting a message to social media which said ‘I’m so sorry’
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, shared 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.
The 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.’