Trans flight attendant’s suicide note reveals tragic message

The suicide note written by a trans flight attendant who spearheaded a commercial campaign for United Airlines made a heartbreaking 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 that began: “As I take my last breath and leave this earth alive, I would like to apologize to everyone who I disappointed”. ‘

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 15.

Brianna had battled depression and a poignant fundraiser set in her memory read, “she suffocated with the pressures that life places on all of us.” Her young heart was filled with despair. Her young mind was clouded with pain.

Brianna’s relatives launched the fundraiser shortly after her death to raise money for suicide prevention causes and in support of youth mental health.

Kayleigh’s latest post ended with the note ‘Brianna, I’m coming’, referring to her friend Brianna Moore (pictured) who took her own life in 2016, aged just 15.

A post on Kayleigh’s Instagram and Facebook pages hours before her death began: “As I take my last breath and leave this earth alive, I would like to apologize to everyone I have let down.”

One tribute read: ‘Brianna was beautiful, both in looks and in heart. She was bright and quick witted. She was kind and sweet, and she cared. Brianna cared. She cared about her family and her friends.

‘She also cared for each 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 it. She touched so many lives.

The page added: ‘Depression among young people is a real disease. Teen suicide is a serious problem…

‘This has to end. We have to take this seriously and spread awareness. We must talk to the youth in our lives. We have to reach out to them and get them help if they need it.’

Kayleigh gained attention in 2020 after appearing in a commercial to celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility, which falls on March 31.

She talks about being “ashamed of being trans” and wanting to “blend in” before she could “break free of the chains that were holding me back.”

Her final post, shared on both Facebook and Instagram, read: “I’m so sorry I couldn’t have been better.” To the ones I love, I’m sorry, I couldn’t be stronger. To those who gave me everything, I regret that my effort has not been reciprocated.

‘Please understand that my departure is not a reflection of you, but the result of my own inability to improve. To Ashley, Cynthia, Regine and Sophia. Very sorry.

Please remember me for the good memories we’ve 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 in awe of all you have done in your life, your smile was absolutely beautiful. . , your laugh was incredibly contagious, your heart was bigger than any of us could have understood.

Friends initially responded with messages of support and offers of help for Kayleigh after her social media post, with several also contacting authorities with their concerns.

But several hours later her sister, Ashley Scott, confirmed that she had passed away.

“To everyone who has commented and seen this post, Kay has passed away,” Ashley said. ‘Thank you for her concern and her outpouring of love for her. We are going to miss her very much.’

The United Airlines campaign video opened with photos of Kayleigh before and after the transition.

In a moving tribute to her “beautiful daughter”, Kayleigh’s mother Andrea Sylvestro said: “I am incredibly proud to have you as my daughter, proud and in awe of everything you have done in your life.”

Kayleigh was found dead at her home in Colorado 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 Day of Awareness on March 31, 2020

Narrating the video, Kayleigh says: ‘Don’t let that smile fool you. There was so much pain behind the eyes of that sweet boy.

‘I don’t normally post about my transition here on my feed, let alone it’s a rare sight in my stories. I used to be so ashamed of being trans, and all I wanted was to blend in and be cis.

“But times have changed and I began to look back at the big picture and understand that I have a story to tell.”

The video shows Kayleigh at work in her United uniform and at Pride events with her colleagues.

She adds: ‘My life changed for the better when I came to United as a flight attendant. With the support of the company, our LGBTQ+ employee business resource group, and all of my beloved co-workers, I was able to break free from the chains that bound me.

“And to this day, I am confidently living as the real me.”

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 having difficulty, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988