OFFICIAL Word on Leslie: Condition upgraded to "fair".

10/13/09 6:40pm Update: Stories of Leslie's death have been GREATLY exaggerated. He's expected to pull through, though from the sound of things his life will be very different. Earlier today Leslie underwent brain surgery and according to family AND hospital officials his condition has been upgraded to "fair". The latest news on The Blotter is that he's also CONSCIOUS! Excellent! He's been moved out of the ICU, and there's going to be a candlelight vigil from him at 7:00pm in Waterloo Park right across Red River from Brackenridge. Everything in that story confirms what our people told us about his current state. Good to hear, though I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for a dramatic recovery.

Update: Several other news sites have picked up the story, including the Houston Examiner, local station KVUE. There's been some speculation that Leslie was ASSAULTED, as well as mention of ATXBS for cracking the story. Wacky. I hope Leslie's ok, but the rumor amongst the local cool kids is that he's already passed away. They even held a candle light vigil for him last night in Waterloo Park. If you're the praying type, get to it, the positive vibe type, start vibing. Lets all just hope Leslie pulls through.

The real news is finally carrying the story of Leslie collapsing and being in Brackenridge ICU that we'd mentioned a little over a week ago.

Several other blogs and news sites have carried stories of his collapse and "alleged" hospitalization (Austinist even mentioned that I broke the story!), but The Blotter is the first posting with an official statement on Leslie's condition. Here's the word on our favorite cycling transvestite:

Leslie in grave condition at hospital, official says
By Erin Mulvaney | Monday, October 12, 2009, 03:37 PM

Albert “Leslie” Cochran — Austin’s homeless, thong-clad local celebrity — was found in a semi-vegetative state on a sidewalk on Oct. 3 and is in critical condition at University Medical Center Brackenridge, according to a public health official with knowledge of the incident

The official said Leslie’s injuries are life threatening and if he survives, he may experience “life-altering effects,” including remaining in a vegetative state.

“He’s very, very sick,” the official said.

A taxi driver found Cochran passed out on a sidewalk near Oltorf and Interstate 35 at 1 a.m. Saturday Oct. 3 and called the police and Emergency Medical Services, said the official, who did not want to be named because the matter concerns confidential patient information.

When EMS arrived, Cochran, 58, had no outward signs of trauma, but all indications pointed to a closed head injury, the official said. Leslie was barely responsive and not breathing well on his own, the official said.

University Medical Center Brackenridge said it could not confirm that Cochran was in their system.

Similarly to my source within the ER a week back who also mentioned the "vegetative state", the Statesman's medical official chose not to be identified. I'm glad that the real news outlets are carrying the story of Leslie's collapse, but I wonder why it took them over a week to hear about it. Leslie is a true jewel in this City of the Violet Crown, it's a shame that this wasn't reported on sooner.

Here's hoping that Leslie makes a miraculous recovery and gets to protest the APD's bullshit for many years to come. Godspeed your recovery, Leslie.