Former Miss USA, attorney and correspondent for celebrity news program Extra Cheslie Kryst, 30, died from an apparent suicide on Sunday morning.
According to the New York Police Department, Kryst jumped from a Manhattan building. The New York Post reported Kryst lived in the apartment building on the ninth floor and was seen last on the twenty-ninth-floor terrace. Sources told the New York Post that Kryst jumped to her death around 7:15 a.m. Her last Instagram post included a photo of herself along with a caption that read: “May this day bring you rest and peace.”
As an attorney, Kryst used her platform to advocate for justice reform. She received her crown as Miss USA in 2019, along with a group of five major pageant winners who were also women of color.
Kryst told CNN in December 2019 she was inspired by previous women, saying, “Three of the last four Miss USAs were women of color — there was Kara McCullough, there was Deshauna Barber — and that was important for me to see.”
Kryst left a note writing that her belongings should go to her mother, but the note did not reveal why she was ending her life.
“In devastation and great sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved Cheslie,” Kryst’s family wrote in a statement. “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. 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,” her family said. “But most importantly as a daughter, sister, friend, mentor, and colleague — we know her impact will live on.”
“Our hearts are broken,” a statement from Extra 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. Our deepest condolences to all her family and friends.”
Kryst spoke publicly about how she handled her mental health. “I do a lot to make sure that I maintain my mental health,” said Kryst via a Facebook video for World Mental Health Day. “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.”
If you or someone you know struggles with suicidal thoughts or experiences a mental health emergency, contact the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.