Kayleigh Scott transgender United Airlines flight attendant kills self after famed coming out commercial. Had been struggling with depression and disillusionment with her employer. Found dead at her Denver, Colorado apartment.
‘I’m sorry I couldn’t do better.’ A transgender flight attendant who rose to prominence after appearing in a United Airlines commercial championing trans and gay rights and who became a beacon of hope for the community killed herself at her Colorado home on Monday.
Kayleigh Grace Scott, 25, who shared her transition story (see video below) for a 2020 Trans Day of Visibility video produced by United, declared in a 2:30 a.m. Instagram post that she was planning to end her life.
‘As I take my final breaths and exit this living earth, I would like to apologize to everyone I let down. I am so sorry I could not be better,’ read Scott’s Instagram post. ‘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.’
According to comments on the post, Scott’s friends called Denver authorities asking them to do a welfare check in on the flight attendant.
Scott continued, ‘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.’
‘whoever you identify as, come out to be counted’
A final determination of cause of death will be made by the Denver Medical Examiner’s office, the Los Angeles Blade reported.
Ashely Scott, Kayleigh’s sister commented on the post confirming the passing of her sibling.
‘To all who have commented and those watching this post, Kay has passed,’ Ashely said. ‘Thank you for your concern and outpouring of love for her. We are going to miss her so much.’
Scott made headlines in 2020 when United featured her as a part of their diversity campaign.
‘There was so much pain behind that sweet boy’s eyes … This is a story that I know is so important for me to continue sharing,’ said Scott in the video documenting her struggles to fit into the cis community. ‘Not for me, but for those out there who are still fighting social norms, the boundaries set upon them, fighting themselves. Gay, lesbian, bi, trans, pan, whatever, whoever you identify as, come out to be counted.’
Scott said that she credited United Airlines for helping her transition.
‘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,’ Scott said in the commercial. ‘I was able to break free from the chains that helped me and to this day, I’m living confidently it’s my true self.’
Disillusionment with employer who didn’t value her
Details surrounding the end of Kayleigh’s life remain unclear, while several of her friends did reveal that she struggled with depression. Social media posts also alluded to work disillusionment.
‘2022 has been a year packed with upset and difficulty,’ Scott wrote in a New Year’s Eve Facebook post. ‘I saw too much death & loss in my life, I came to realize I work a meaningless job for a company that doesn’t value me as an employee.’
‘I had my heart destroyed, I lost my nice little home and had to downsize significantly and start over,’ continued the post. ‘I’m really struggling to find happiness and hope. I’m begging 2023 to be better to me. Please.’
Scott’s mother also posted about her daughter’s passing.
‘I now have words, my mind is completely rushed with thoughts of you and you like a flooded river are just rushing though my heart,’ wrote Andrea Sylvestro. ‘Kayleigh Scott … 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.’
Continuing: ‘I miss you so much already, everything that you have been through, every morning you woke up and looked in that mirror, I hope you saw what we all saw.. a beautiful, eloquent, compassionate, courageous beautiful soul! love you so so much. Fly high my beautiful daughter, I will not let a day go by that I don’t honor your name and everything you stood for.’
‘Go climb those mountains, live free and let the wind take you away…all my love my beautiful girl,’ concluded the post.
According to Scott’s Instagram, she was was an avid skier and mountain climber.
