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.
–Austin American Statesman

I can’t express how sad this makes me. Leslie is an Austin fixture, and I always look forward to running into him somewhere. I’d like to believe things will work out OK, but it doesn’t sound good.

We don’t know much, but they say he has a closed head wound. No one is saying if it was caused by mayhem or if he had a stroke or fell and hurt himself. I hope no one attacked him. That would break my heart. I have never met anyone so wonderfully crazy, so perfectly themselves, and so open and large-hearted.

All my prayers to Leslie and everyone who loves him.