Austin Icon Leslie Cochran Dead At 60 [VIDEO]

An Austin icon is dead, and Austin just got a lot less weird. My best friend moved to Austin years ago and when I visit him I always look on his fridge for the Leslie magnet set. It was always fun to dress up this old dude and give him beer. I know my friend met Leslie and has the pictures to prove it, and the magnets, but I never got the chance. Here is the official press release of his death.

Courtesy Of The Austin Statesmen -

Leslie Cochran — the city’s flesh-flashing, cross-dressing, attention-loving, frequently homeless mascot, unofficial ambassador and sometimes mayoral candidate — died about 12:30 a.m. at Christopher House, an inpatient hospice, his sister Alice Masterson said. He was 60.

A memorial parade will depart City Hall for Sixth Street starting at 7:30 p.m. today, and attendees are encouraged to wear boas and tiaras. Cochran’s colorful life will be celebrated in a service at 2 p.m. Sunday near the Fannie Davis Gazebo on the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, north of South First Street and Riverside Drive.

Cochran had been admitted to St. David’s South Austin Medical Center last month after being found unconscious in a South Austin parking lot. The cause of death was believed to be complications from a brain injury, according to his friend, Valerie Romness.

Cochran died “peacefully and comfortably”, Romness said.

He will be missed, pretty cool guy as you can tell from the video.