In a devastating statement, family members have confirmed that former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst has died at the age of 30.
According to New York authorities, the TV personality and lawyer lept to her death in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Cheslie Kryst, who resided in the luxury Orion building, went to the 29th floor of the building, where she apparently jumped.
Her body was recovered on the street near the 60-floor building at around 7 a.m.
It has been revealed that Kryst lived alone in an apartment on the ninth floor of the building.
Cheslie Kryst was last seen alive on the 29th-floor terrace, and she was not accompanied by anyone.
Moments before committing suicide, Cheslie Kryst took to her official Instagram page, where she posted for the last time.
The 2019 pageant winner shared a striking and somber photo of herself with the following heart-wrenching message to herself.
She wrote: “May this day bring you rest and peace❤️.”
Cheslie Kryst left a note explaining that all of her belongings and assets should go to her mother, April Simpkins.
April Simpkins is also a former beauty pageant queen who won Mrs. North Carolina in 2002. Kryst did not reveal in the note the reason why she took her own life.
Cheslie Kryst’s family said in a statement after her death: “In devastation and great sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved Cheslie. Her great light was one that inspired others around the world with her beauty and strength. She cared, she loved, she laughed, and she shined.”
It continued: “Cheslie embodied love and served others, whether through her work as an attorney fighting for social justice, as Miss USA, and as a host on Extra. But most importantly, as a daughter, sister, friend, mentor, and colleague – we know her impact will live on.”
Along with being a beauty queen, Cheslie Kryst was a brilliant and passionate former complex civil litigation attorney licensed to practice law in North and South Carolina.
Cheslie Kryst was a correspondent for Extra and had received two Daytime Emmy nominations for her stellar work.
Extra issued a statement that read: “Cheslie was not just a vital part of our show. She was a beloved part of our Extra family and touched the entire staff.”
Cheslie Kryst was a vocal mental health advocate, and in recent interviews, she spoke about how she takes care of herself.
She stated: “I do a lot to make sure that I maintain my mental health. And the most important thing that I did is talk to a counselor. She’s really easy to talk to. She gives me great strategies, especially if I’m sad or happy or have a busy month ahead of me.”
She added: “When I’m not talking to my counselor, I spend time at the end of every single day to just decompress. I unplug, I shut my phone off, I don’t answer messages. I just sit and watch my favorite movies.”
For anyone in need of help, note that you can call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org to talk to a counselor.
