Transgender teen Leelah Alcorn’s laptop found near suicide scene

The Ohio Highway Patrol has released its report on the death of Leelah Alcorn, the 17-year-old transgender youth whose case has prompted a worldwide reaction.

The 26-page report includes a statement from the semi-truck driver into whose path Alcorn ran three days after Christmas in Warren County.

The driver said he was southbound on Interstate 71 near the Ohio 48 exit traveling 63 mph at about 2:20 a.m. when he saw something run in front of him. The driver said he tried unsuccessfully to veer left to avoid hitting Alcorn of Kings Mills.

“It happened within a second and was over,” according to the driver, whose name was redacted from the report released Wednesday in response to a public records request by the Cox Media Group.

Near the crash, troopers found Alcorn’s laptop, which included “numerous Internet activity logs related to suicide prevention.”

One text message found on the laptop said, “I am so uncomfortable with my body and myself that if I don’t do this I wouldn’t be able to help myself but commit suicide.”

Against her will, Alcorn had been undergoing conversion therapy.

Earlier this month, President Barack Obama called for an end to psychiatric therapy treatments aimed at changing the sexual orientation or gender identity of gay, lesbian and transgender youth.

Obama’s comments came in response to a petition submitted to the White House’s website that cited Alcorn’s case.

A toxicology report found no “drugs of abuse” or alcohol were found in her system.

About the Author