The suicide note written by a trans flight attendant who fronted a United Airlines commercial campaign made a harrowing reference to her friend who also took her own life several years ago.
Kayleigh Scott, 25, was found dead at her home in Denver, Colorado, on Monday after sharing a message online which began: ‘As I take my final breaths and exit this living earth, I would like to apologize to everyone I let down. ‘
The post ended with the words, ‘Brianna, I’m coming’. The message was a reference to Kayleigh’s friend Brianna Elizabeth Moore, who took her own life in February 2016 at the age of just 15.
Brianna, like Kayleigh, had struggled with depression and a moving fundraiser set up in her memory said ‘she became suffocated with the pressures that life places on us all. Her young heart was filled with despair. Her young mind was clouded with pain.
Relatives of Brianna launched the fundraiser shortly after her death to raise money for suicide prevention causes and in support of young people’s mental health.
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
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
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’
A tribute said: ‘Brianna was beautiful, both in looks and in heart. She was brilliant and quick witted. She was kind and sweet, and she cared. Brianna cares. She cared about her family and friends.
‘She also cared for anyone and everyone with whom she came in contact with. She was a listener, a helper and she was always willing to give advice and aid to those who needed it. She touched so many lives.
The page added: ‘Depression among young people is a real disease. Teenage suicide is a serious problem…
‘This needs to end. We need to take this seriously and spread awareness. We must talk to the young people in our lives. We have to reach out to them and get them help if they need it.
Kayleigh gained attention in 2020 after she appeared in a commercial to celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility, which falls on March 31.
She talks about being ’embarrassed about being trans’ and wanting to ‘blend in’ before she was ‘able to break free from the chains that held me’.
Her final post – shared to both Facebook and Instagram – said: ‘I am so sorry I could not 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.
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.
In a touching tribute to her ‘beautiful daughter’, Kayleigh’s mom, Andrea Sylvestro, said: ‘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.’
Friends initially responded with messages of support and offers of help for Kayleigh after her social media post, and several also contacted authorities with their concerns.
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 had opened with pictures of Kayleigh before and after she transitioned.
In a touching tribute to her ‘beautiful daughter’, Kayleigh’s mom, Andrea Sylvestro, said: ‘I am so unbelievably proud to have you as my daughter, proud and amazed by everything that you have done in your life’
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.’
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.’
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.’
If you or someone you know is struggling, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.