Austin Icon Albert “Leslie” Cochran Dies

Cochran died of complications from a brain injury, friend says

A cross-dressing, often homeless man who became something of a local icon in Austin has died.

Valerie Romness says her friend Albert "Leslie" Cochran died shortly after midnight Thursday of complications from a brain injury. Cochran was 60. 

Cochran was known to cruise around downtown for years in tiaras, dresses and women's underwear. He became the butt of politicians' jokes and the man posing next to countless tourists in photos.

Cochran ran for mayor multiple times in Texas' capital city, which has an unofficial motto, "Keep Austin Weird." If elected, Cochran promised to plant more trees and wear more conservative dresses to "respect the office."

His friends plan to gather later Thursday at Austin City Hall for a parade in his honor.

Read more and see video from Austin's KXAN-TV.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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