Transgender flight attendant Kayleigh Scott — who gained fame after appearing in a United Airlines commercial — was found dead Monday in her Colorado home. She was 25.
Scott, who shared her transition story 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,” reads the emotional 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.”
When reached by The Post for comment, reps for United said, “We are incredibly saddened by the tragic loss of Kayleigh Scott and extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and co-workers.”
According to comments on her final post, Scott’s friends called Denver authorities, asking them to do a welfare check 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.”
A spokesperson for the Denver Police Department said an investigation is ongoing and that the final determination of cause of death will be made by the Denver Medical Examiner’s Office, the Los Angeles Blade reported.
However, Scott’s sister, Ashley Scott, later commented to confirm her sister’s death.
“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.”
Scott made headlines in 2020 when United featured her as a part of its 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 she credited United 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 co-workers,” Scott said at the time. “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.”
Details surrounding the end of her life remain unclear, but several of her friends revealed that she struggled with depression.
“2022 has been a year packed with upset and difficulty,” wrote Scott 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.”
Sylvestro’s lengthy tribute continued: “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,” continued the post. “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 an avid skier and mountain climber.
The Post reached out to United and Denver police for comment.
Meanwhile, Scott’s death has sent shock waves through the LGBTQ+ community.
“Such a promising life, it’s devastating for an LGBTIQ like me in his early sixties to learn of tragedies of such untimely demise,” commented one person on Twitter.
“My heart is in pieces,” tweeted another.
“Stop targeting vulnerable people. They were born equal to everyone,” a third person declared on a post about Scott’s passing.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 national suicide prevention hotline at 988 or go to 988Lifeline.org.
