Kylan’s Story

A story about loss, unanswered questions, and why Kylan’s Light was created.

Kylan Leeper was more than an inmate or a number in the system. He was a son, a brother, and a deeply loved member of his family.

During his incarceration in Tennessee, Kylan was moved between multiple prison facilities. After being transferred to a second CoreCivic-operated prison, he was stabbed within days of arriving. Following the attack, he was left without proper medical care, forced to remain in bloody clothing, and was not even allowed to shower for several days. His family had to send him money so he could buy soap and bandages just to care for his wounds himself.

That was the moment Tim Leeper began realizing something was deeply wrong.

Kylan shared stories of dangerous conditions inside the prison—violence, frequent overdoses, fear, and a lack of safety that seemed unimaginable. At first, his family struggled to believe conditions could truly be that severe. Surely, if this much was happening, someone would be stepping in.

But on October 6, 2023, the unimaginable became reality.

Kylan lost his life in his prison cell after taking what was believed to be Valium, later discovered to be laced with fentanyl.

He was only 25 years old.

In the months that followed, Tim grieved the loss of his oldest son while searching for answers. He began researching the prison system, uncovering disturbing realities about the conditions incarcerated individuals face every day. The more he learned, the more one question remained in his mind:

“How had incarceration become a place where survival itself was the punishment?”

After taking time to grieve, Tim knew he could not stay silent.

He made a promise that Kylan’s life would not be forgotten—and that his story would stand for something greater.

That promise became Kylan’s Light.

Today, Kylan’s Light exists to honor Kylan’s memory by advocating for those still living inside a broken system. It exists to bring awareness to the realities many incarcerated individuals face, to push for accountability, and to advocate for reform that values rehabilitation over neglect.

Because no family should lose someone without answers.
No person should live in fear while serving their sentence.
And no life should be forgotten inside the walls of incarceration.

Kylan’s story is not just about loss.
It is about purpose.
It is about advocacy.
It is about shining light where darkness has gone unseen for far too long.

Why This Story Matters

Stories like this are why Kylan’s Light exists. Families deserve transparency, communication, and dignity. By sharing these stories, we hope to bring awareness and encourage meaningful change.

This is why we continue to shine a light.