A suicide note left by a transgender teen in Cincinnati, Ohio has prompted a police investigation into her death.

A 17-year-old student, who was born as a boy named Joshua, but identified as a girl named Leelah Alcorn, decided to end her life early Sunday morning by walking onto Interstate 71, where she was hit by a tractor-trailer. Hours later, a suicide note was found published on her Tumblr page explaining that she killed herself over her parents' rejection of her identity.

In the note, Leelah detailed the difficulty she suffered while growing up and asked that her death be used to expose the problems that transgender people face.

"The life I would've lived isn't worth living in... because I'm transgender," read a portion of the post, according to ABC News. "I could go into detail explaining why I feel that way, but this note is probably going to be lengthy enough as it is. To put it simply, I feel like a girl trapped in a boy's body, and I've felt that way ever since I was 4," it reads.

Although her friends and school were supportive when she came out as gay, Leelah wrote in the note that her parents were not. Instead, they took her to see Christian therapists, but it did not help her overcome depression.

"After 10 years of confusion I finally understood who I was. I immediately told my mom, and she reacted extremely negatively, telling me that it was a phase, that I would never truly be a girl, that God doesn't make mistakes, that I am wrong," the note states.

"The only way I will rest in peace is if one day transgender people aren't treated the way I was," reads the post. "They're treated like humans, with valid feelings and human rights. Gender needs to be taught about in schools, the earlier the better. My death needs to mean something."

According to WCPO-TV, Alcorn's mother, Carla Alcorn, posted a message on Facebook saying that her child was killed while out for a walk.

"My sweet 16-year-old son, Joshua Ryan Alcorn went home to heaven this morning," wrote Carla. "He was out for an early morning walk and was hit by a truck. Thank you for the messages and kindness and concern you have sent our way. Please continue to keep us in your prayers."

"It's an incredibly difficult and horrible situation that a 17-year-old would feel the best alternative is to step in front of a semi," said Cincinnati City Councilman Chris Seelbach, a gay elected official, in response to Alcorn's death. "It shows how far we need to come on transgender issues."