Cheslie Kryst: Miss America 2019 pageant winner Cheslie Kryst has passed away.
New York:
Miss America 2019 pageant winner, Cheslie Kryst, has passed away. She was 30 years old.
The beauty queen, lawyer, fashion blogger and Extra TV reporter fell from the “higher height” of a 60-story New York City apartment building just after 7 a.m. on Sunday, January 30, and was declared father was pronounced dead at the scene, an NYPD spokesman told E! News.
They added that the death of Kryst, who lived on the ninth floor, appeared to be a suicide, adding that the medical examiner had yet to determine an official cause.
“In great devastation and grief, we share the loss of our beloved Cheslie,” her family said in a statement to Extra. “Her amazing light is what inspires others around the world with her beauty and strength. She cares, she loves, she laughs and she shines.”
The statement continued, “Cheslie demonstrates love and service to others, whether through her work as a social justice attorney, as Miss USA and host of Extra. But most importantly, as a daughter, sister, friend, mentor and colleague — we know her impact will last. Reflecting on our loss, the family requests privacy at this time.”
Kryst was active on social media a few hours before her death. Earlier on Sunday, Kryst posted a glamorous photo of herself looking sideways on her Instagram page, writing, “May this day bring you rest and peace.”
On Saturday, January 29, Kryst posted on her Instagram Story a congratulatory message to Miss North Carolina USA Morgan Romano and Miss North Carolina Teen USA Gabby Ortega, telling them, “Wish good luck at Miss USA and Miss Teen USA!”
Kryst was born in Jackson, Michigan in 1991 and raised in South Carolina. Kryst attended the University of South Carolina and in 2017 graduated from Wake Forest University Law School. She worked as an attorney at the North Carolina firm Poyner Spruill LLP as a civil litigator. She also founded the women’s clothing business blog White Collar Glam.
In 2019, she won the title of Miss North Carolina USA and after being crowned Miss USA 2019, she quit her job. In 2020, her company appointed her as its first diversity advisor.
Also in 2019, Kryst started working as a New York reporter for Extra. “Our hearts are broken,” the show’s producers said in a statement posted on their website.
“Cheslie is not only an important part of our program, she is a beloved part of our Extra family and touches the entire staff. We extend our deepest condolences to you. all her family and friends,” the producer added at the time.
