Cheslie Kryst Miss USA Cause Of Death Latest – 2019 Winner’s Final Instagram Post Revealed After Shocking ‘… – The US Sun

• 11:00 ET, Feb 1 2022
• Updated: 11:00 ET, Feb 1 2022

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.

• ‘Deeply painful’

  Television host and personality Tamron Hall reacted to the news of Cheslie Kryst’s death on social media.

  “Dear God hearing the news of Cheslie Kryst’s death is deeply painful,” she wrote.

  “Being a witness to Cheslie’s strength was an unforgettable experience and hearing her share the journey to Miss USA was so special. My prayers are with Cheslie’s family and friends.”

  Dear God hearing the news of Cheslie Kryst’s death is deeply painful. Being a witness to Cheslie’s strength was an unforgettable experience and hearing her share the journey to Miss USA was so special. My prayers are with Cheslie’s family and friends. pic.twitter.com/OAwzIPIqrc

  — Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) January 31, 2022

• Senator Reverand Warnock mourns loss

  Senator Reverand Raphael Warnock of Georgia noted on Twitter that he was “saddened to hear the news about former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst.”

  “Sending love and prayers to her family and may her soul rest in peace,” he wrote. “Let’s continue to check on one another. And if you or someone you know is struggling w/ thoughts of suicide, please call 800-273-8255.”

  Saddened to hear the news about former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst. Sending love and prayers to her family and may her soul rest in peace. Let’s continue to check on one another. And if you or someone you know is struggling w/ thoughts of suicide, please call 800-273-8255.

  — Reverend Raphael Warnock (@ReverendWarnock) January 31, 2022

• 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

• What was Cheslie Kryst known for, part two

  Cheslie was crowned Miss USA in 2019 and went on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant.

  The civil litigation attorney took time off from her law career to fulfill her duties as Miss USA.

  Also in 2019, Cheslie began her career as a New York-based correspondent for ExtraTV, a position that brought the star two Emmy Award nominations.

• What was Cheslie Kryst known for?

  The daughter of former Mrs North Carolina April Simpkins, Cheslie began her pageantry career as a teenager following in her mother’s footsteps.

  In 2013, Cheslie earned her Bachelor’s degree for Marketing and Human Resource Management, followed by a Juris Doctor and Master’s of Business Administration four years later.

  She won the title of Miss North Carolina in 2019, after several attempts of landing in the top ten at the competition.

• 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.

• Early-morning 911 call

  On Sunday around 7.13am ET, the New York Police Department responded to a 911 call at Cheslie’s Manhattan apartment building.

  The 2019 Miss USA star was found dead from an apparent suicide.

• Cheslie’s charity work

  WSOC also talked with Curry Barr O’Connor, the director of local organization Dress for Success.

  She said she spent a lot of hours with Cheslie, who was passionate about helping those in need with professional work attire and interview skills to land a job.

  “She gave clients exposure to someone at that level, that they would have never had otherwise, and in a very one-on-one, humbling kind of exchange,” O’Connor said.

  O’Connor said she was caught off-guard by Cheslie’s death and said the hurt will last for a long time.

  “Her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone she touched and everyone she met,” O’Connor said.

• Friend reflects on Cheslie’s life

  Local news station WSOC talked with a friend of the 30-year-old.

  “I called her my doppelganger because obviously we were twins,” Bea Cote said.

  “Just a real, sweet, funny, smart and beautiful person.”

  Cote said she was stunned over the weekend to learn that her friend had taken her own life.

  The two met in a leadership class three years ago and became close friends.

  “Disbelief. Disbelief because I, like most other people, fell for that. She’s got it all, she’s doing it all and she’s got this,” Cote said.

  Cote said Cheslie was so down-to-earth that she had no idea that she was competing in beauty pageants when they met.

  No matter how famous Cheslie got, she never lost her humility, Cote said.

• Cheslie won Miss North Carolina, Miss USA

  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 and Miss USA.

  After taking home the crown in Reno, Nevada, Cheslie took a one-year leave from her job as a lawyer.

  She represented the United States at the Miss Universe pageant in December of 2019.

• Cheslie’s influence as an attorney

  Cheslie later returned to her home state of North Carolina, where 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.

  The former Miss USA winner also founded fashion blog White Collar Glam, which aimed to help women dress professionally on the job.

• Cheslie Kryst’s childhood

  Cheslie Kryst was born on April 28, 1991 to former Mrs. North Carolina, April Simpkins.

  After graduating from Fort Mill High School in 2009, Cheslie went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in marketing and human resource management from the University of South Carolina.

• Comments on Cheslie’s final post

  The heartbreaking post garnered emotional comments from friends and fans of the pageant queen, who worked as a lawyer.

  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.

• Tragic final Instagram post

  A few hours before her fatal fall from her high-rise apartment in New York City, Cheslie uploaded a chilling post that included a photo of herself.

  It was captioned, “May this day bring you rest and peace.”

• Moving essay had haunting ending

  While on her trajectory to pageant queen, Kryst often spoke candidly about the legalization of marijuana, President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, and criminal justice reform.

  She was a public supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and marched in protests.

  “I wasn’t searching to collect more awards or recognition during my reign. Rather, I fed the passion that made waking up each morning feel worthwhile: speaking out against injustice.”

  Kryst concluded her Allure essay from 2021 with now-haunting words about searching for “joy and purpose” as she entered her 30th year.

  “And that feels like my own sweet victory.” 

• Cheslie’s ‘challenge of the status quo’

  Upon winning Miss USA, Kryst said her term was one filled with purpose, and 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.”

• 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.

• Cheslie’s essay before turning 30

  Kryst made history as the oldest Miss USA winner at age 28, which gave her a unique 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. 

• 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.

• Witnesses left shaken

  One witness told The Sun that Kryst’s death is a reminder that you “never know what’s happening behind closed doors.”

  “Even if people seem strong or fine they might not be … it might be a front,” he said.

  “This is a really easy city to get lost in … Check in with your people.”

  A local store owner said he was working behind the shop counter when a customer ran inside to tell him that someone had fallen from a nearby building.

  “It was crazy and very sad,” he said. “I have never seen anything like that … I couldn’t believe it.”

• Where did Cheslie Kryst attend school?

  Kryst attended the University of South Carolina, where she set records as a student-athlete in the triple jump.

  She graduated with honors after double majoring in human resource management and marketing.

  Kryst went on to earn a combined JD and MBA from Wake Forest University.

• Who is Cheslie Kryst’s dad?

  Rodney Kryst was a Polish American bodybuilder, according to Vim Buzz.

  Not much else is known about Rodney but Cheslie did once report also being inspired by her dad.

  She said: “Today is a special day to show appreciation to all the fathers and father figures who have made our lives special.

  “My dad introduced me to athletics. He took my siblings and me to the track every weekend when we were young when we didn’t want to.

  “And he told us endless stories of his body-building days.”

• ‘Hearts are broken’

  The official Miss America Twitter account shared a tribute to Cheslie Kryst following news of her death.

  “We are heartbroken to hear about the passing of Cheslie Kryst, Miss USA 2019.

  “Cheslie was an incredible example and a role model for so many. We send our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all those who knew her.”

  MaKenzie Divina, who won Miss South Carolina and competed against Kryst in the Miss USA pageant, said: “Cheslie I hope you knew how loved you were.

  “I can never begin to understand how you were feeling but what I can rest with is knowing the amazing person you were and how your legacy will continue on forever.”

  Divina said Kryst had an “incredible impact” on many people.

• Family statement on Kryst’s death

  The statement from the Kryst family went on to describe how Cheslie shined bright and inspired many.

  “Her great light was one that inspired others around the world with her beauty and strength.

  “She cares, she loved, she laughed and she shined.

  “Cheslie embodied love and served others, whether through her work as an attorney or 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.”

• Kryst’s relationship with her mom

  Former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst left a note before her death, saying that “she wanted to leave everything” to her beauty pageant mom, according to reports.

  The 30-year-old once described how her mother inspired her.

  “My mom is my role model. I’ve always looked up to her and sought her advice,” Kryst told the Society for Human Resource Management.

  “She set an incredible example as a state pageant titleholder, and I wanted to follow in her footsteps because I think so highly of her.”

  Following Cheslie’s death, a statement from the Kryst family read: “In devastation and great sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved Cheslie.”