THE death of former Miss USA, Cheslie Kryst was announced on January 30, 2022.
She was pronounced dead after falling from her high-rise apartment in New York City in what police believe to be a suicide.
Kryst shared a photo of herself on Instagram just hours before her death with the caption, “May this day bring you rest and peace.”
Kryst, 30, took home the crown in the Miss USA pageant as Miss North Carolina in 2019.
She used her platform as Miss USA to speak about criminal justice reform.
You’re not alone
SUICIDE is the 10th leading cause of death in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Leading Causes of Death Report from 2018.
There were "more than two and half times as many suicides" in the US than there were homicides, according to the report.
For people ages 10 and 34, suicide was the "second leading cause of death" and the fourth for individuals ages 35 to 54.
Suicide is a vital health concern in the U.S. It affects all genders, races and ages.
This is why The-Sun.com launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The campaign calls on readers to discuss their mental health issues with their family, friends and health professionals. We can all pitch in to help out others who may be suffering and help save lives.
If you are struggling to cope, you are not alone. There are many free and confidential programs in the US aimed to help those who are struggling with their mental health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health problems, these organizations are here to provide support:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org, 1-800-273-TALK
- Crisis Text Line, www.crisistextline.org, Text HOME to 741741
- Veterans Crisis Hotline, www.veteranscrisisline.net, 1-800-273-8255
- Trevor Project, www.thetrevorproject.org, 1-866-488-7386
Read our Cheslie Kryst live blog for the latest news and updates...
- Jocelyn Cook
Pageant peer remembers Cheslie
Gabriela Tafur was Miss Colombia 2018, represented Colombia at Miss Universe 2019, and now works as an attorney.
On her Instagram story, Gabriela posted, "RIP, my friend."
"Cheslie was kind, sweet, intelligent, strong and beautiful.
"She left a mark on the life of the people she met. Mine wasn't the exception."
Gabriela went on to say Cheslie embodied women's empowerment "through example."
- Jocelyn Cook
Final tweet
In early January, Cheslie Kryst shared her YouTube channel on Twitter.
"My name is Red now," she wrote.
"New year, new me, new channel! I did my very first YouTube vlog and it captured this entire transformation from start to finish," she added, before urging people to subscribe at an included link.
People have since taken to the replies to mourn the former Miss USA.
"You never know what private struggles people are going through so start with compassion. RIP Cheslie," one person wrote.
- Jocelyn Cook
'Incredibly sad news'
"Such incredibly sad news about #CheslieKryst," Martin Luther King Jr's daughter and civil rights activist Bernice King wrote on Twitter in reaction to the news.
"Depression creates deep despair & an overwhelming illusion that there’s no way forward in life. Remember: looking good & doing good things doesn’t = feeling/thinking 'good,'" she added. "Check on YOU, too"
She also included the number for the National Suicide Hotline at 800-273-8255.
- Jocelyn Cook
What happened to Cheslie Kryst?
On Sunday morning around 7.13am ET, the New York Police Department responded to a 911 call at Cheslie's Manhattan apartment.
The 2019 Miss USA star was found dead from an apparent suicide.
- H. J. Hayes
Cheslie’s ‘challenge of the status quo’
Upon winning Miss USA, Kryst said her term was one filled with purpose, and wrote in an essay for Allure in March last year that she desired to “commit myself to passion, intent and authenticity.”
She compared herself to other pageant girls, who are model-tall and thin with “don bouffant hair and have a killer walk.” Kryst, who competed in Division I Track and Field, had six-pack abs and natural curls.
In her words, being “too Black” has prevented many black women from winning on the pageant stage.
“My challenge of the status quo has certainly caught the attention of the trolls,” she said, adding that she’s had to delete comments on social due to negative comments about her appearance.
“And that was just my looks. My opinions, on the other hand, were enough to make a traditional pageant fan clutch their pearls.”
- H. J. Hayes
Cheslie’s ‘challenge of the status quo’
Upon winning Miss USA, Kryst said her term was one filled with purpose, and wrote in an essay for Allure in March last year that she desired to “commit myself to passion, intent and authenticity.”
She compared herself to other pageant girls, who are model-tall and thin with “don bouffant hair and have a killer walk.” Kryst, who competed in Division I Track and Field, had six-pack abs and natural curls.
In her words, being “too Black” has prevented many black women from winning on the pageant stage.
“My challenge of the status quo has certainly caught the attention of the trolls,” she said, adding that she’s had to delete comments on social due to negative comments about her appearance.
“And that was just my looks. My opinions, on the other hand, were enough to make a traditional pageant fan clutch their pearls.”
- H. J. Hayes
Cheslie’s Allure essay, continued
According to Kryst, the common mindset of “30 under 30” lists creates an unfortunate side effect on young people, who are encouraged to accomplish feats as fast as possible.
After graduating from college, Kryst continued her studies at Wake Forest University to get a law degree and an MBA at the same time, joining a trial team to win a national championship.
“I nearly worked myself to death, literally, until an eight-day stint in a local hospital sparked the development of a new perspective,” she said.
- H. J. Hayes
Cheslie penned essay before turning 30
Kryst made history as the oldest Miss USA winner at 28, which gave her a different perspective compared to other titleholders.
In an essay written for Allure in March last year, Kryst said that she “cringed” at the thought of turning 30. “Society has never been kind to those growing old, especially women,” she wrote.
“…Turning 30 feels like a cold reminder that I’m running out of time to matter in society’s eyes – and it’s infuriating.”
She detailed her struggle with “the relentless tick of time” and being enamored with “20 under 20” and “30 under 30” lists that linked achievement to being young and successful.
- H. J. Hayes
Miss USA Organization's statement
The Miss USA Organization released a statement to Instagram after Cheslie's death.
"The Miss Universe and Miss USA Organizations are devastated to learn about the loss of Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst. She was one of the brightest, warmest, and most kind people we have ever had the privilege of knowing, and she lit up every room she entered," the post reads.
"Our entire community mourns her loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.
"If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek help by calling the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1 800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Miss USA (@missusa)
- H. J. Hayes
Suicide prevention resources
You’re not alone
SUICIDE is the 10th leading cause of death in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Leading Causes of Death Report from 2018.
There were "more than two and half times as many suicides" in the US than there were homicides, according to the report.
For people ages 10 and 34, suicide was the "second leading cause of death" and the fourth for individuals ages 35 to 54.
Suicide is a vital health concern in the U.S. It affects all genders, races and ages.
This is why The-Sun.com launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The campaign calls on readers to discuss their mental health issues with their family, friends and health professionals. We can all pitch in to help out others who may be suffering and help save lives.
If you are struggling to cope, you are not alone. There are many free and confidential programs in the US aimed to help those who are struggling with their mental health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health problems, these organizations are here to provide support:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org, 1-800-273-TALK
- Crisis Text Line, www.crisistextline.org, Text HOME to 741741
- Veterans Crisis Hotline, www.veteranscrisisline.net, 1-800-273-8255
- Trevor Project, www.thetrevorproject.org, 1-866-488-7386
Fellow pageant queen posts tribute
Savannah Wix, Miss Arizona 2019, posted a tribute photo showing herself, Cheslie and other Miss USA contestants at the competition.
In the photo, Cheslie has been crowned, and is holding a bouquet of flowers while her fellow contestants embrace her.
“We love you forever, Ches,” Savannah captioned the picture.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZX5xqhPKzg/
A post shared by Savannah Wix (@savannahwix)
‘She was a force’
Cheslie’s pageant and broadcasting peer, Camila Gonzalez, mourned the late star on Twitter.
“I am absolutely heartbroken at the news of Cheslie Kryst’s passing,” Camila said.
“She was a force in pageantry, journalism and an incredible human.”
Camila Gonzalez was crowned Miss International Canada 2018 and has since become a television journalist.
Sad details of high-rise fall
An investigation is underway, however, police believe the former beauty queen, who lived on the 9th floor, jumped to her death.
According to the New York Post, Kryst was last seen on the building’s terrace, which is on the 29th floor. The building is located at 350 West 42nd Street.
Police were called to Cheslie Kryst’s midtown apartment building around 7:13am.
Paramedics were also at the scene but Kryst was pronounced dead.
Cheslie remembered by ExtraTV
ExtraTV took to their Instagram account to share a tribute to the late correspondent.
“Our hearts are broken. Cheslie was not just a vital part of our show, she was a beloved part of our ‘Extra’ family and touched the entire staff.”
Comments on Cheslie’s final post
The heartbreaking Instagram post garnered emotional comments from friends and fans of the pageant queen.
American actress and 2015’s Miss USA Olivia Jordan commented on the post, “Rest peacefully sister. The world will miss you and the light you shone so bright.”
“My sweet angel. My heart hurts,” said Ali Stagnitta, the HollywoodLife on-air reporter.
- H. J. Hayes
Tragic final Instagram post
Just a few hours before her fatal fall from her high-rise apartment in New York City, Cheslie uploaded a chilling post of a photo of herself captioned, “May this day bring you rest and peace.”
- H. J. Hayes
Cheslie's pageant history
As a teenager, Cheslie was crowned Miss Freshman at her first high school, Northwestern. She also earned the honor of Miss Fort Mill High School after she transferred.
In 2019, she was crowned Miss North Carolina.
After taking home the crown at 2019 Miss USA competition in Reno, Nevada Cheslie took a one-year leave from her job as a lawyer and represented the United States at the Miss Universe pageant in December of 2019.
- H. J. Hayes
Why Cheslie started White Collar Glam
Cheslie started her blog after an experience at the AAJ Trial Team National Championship, where all three suits she had brought were stained, ripped or ruined after a series of mishaps.
"My teammates and I advanced to the final day of the competition, when the National Champion would be decided. And there I was without a single suit that fit me," she wrote on the blog's About page.
"How did I get here? Why was it so hard to find suits I could afford as a broke law school student? What in the world was I supposed to do about the competition?"
Her "incredibly supportive" teammates helped her work stains out of one suit, and piece together an outfit for the championships.
"We went on to win the 2017 AAJ Trial Team National Championship.
"And I decided to create this blog," Cheslie wrote.
- H. J. Hayes
Why Cheslie started White Collar Glam
Cheslie started her blog after an experience at the AAJ Trial Team National Championship, where all three suits she had brought were stained, ripped or ruined after a series of mishaps.
"My teammates and I advanced to the final day of the competition, when the National Champion would be decided. And there I was without a single suit that fit me," she wrote on the blog's About page.
"How did I get here? Why was it so hard to find suits I could afford as a broke law school student? What in the world was I supposed to do about the competition?"
Her "incredibly supportive" teammates helped her work stains out of one suit, and piece together an outfit for the championships.
"We went on to win the 2017 AAJ Trial Team National Championship.
"And I decided to create this blog," Cheslie wrote.
- H. J. Hayes
What is White Collar Glam?
Cheslie founded fashion blog White Collar Glam.
The blog provided advice and style tips to help women dress professionally on the job.
- H. J. Hayes
Did Cheslie Kryst go to law school?
Cheslie returned to her home state of North Carolina after completing her undergraduate degree.
There, she graduated from the Wake Forest University School of Law with a Juris Doctor and Master’s of Business Administration in 2017.
She went on to practice law in both North and South Carolina, with a focus on civil litigation.
- H. J. Hayes
Where did Cheslie go to college?
Cheslie earned her Bachelor’s degree in marketing and human resource management from the University of South Carolina.
- H. J. Hayes
Cheslie's mom was pageant queen
Cheslie Kryst was born on April 28, 1991 to former Mrs. North Carolina, April Simpkins.
- H. J. Hayes
'Mental illness doesn't discriminate'
In a tribute to Cheslie, Good Morning America booker and producer Anastasia Elyse Williams opened up about her own mental health journey.
"Awful news about @CheslieKryst," Williams posted. "Mental illness doesn't discriminate."
"I have a strong circle of friends, a therapist and a psychologist who have pulled me out of very dark moments. And my meds save me everyday."
She ended the post with a hashtag that has been used a few times in connection with Cheslie's story, #EndTheStigma.
- H. J. Hayes
Sad details of high-rise fall
An investigation is underway, however, police believe the former beauty queen, who lived on the 9th floor, jumped to her death.
According to the New York Post, Kryst was last seen on the building’s terrace, which is on the 29th floor. The building is located at 350 West 42nd Street.
Police were called to Cheslie Kryst’s midtown apartment building around 7:13am.
Paramedics were also at the scene but Kryst was pronounced dead.
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