Charlottean and former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst dead at 30

“I have never known a pain as deep as this,” Kryst’s mom April Simpkins said in a statement on Wednesday, a few days after her death. “While it may be hard to believe, it’s true.”

• “Cheslie led both a public and a private life,” she continued. “In her private life, she was dealing with high-functioning depression which she hid from everyone — including me, her closest confidant — until very shortly before her death.”

Details: One of six children, Kryst spent much of her life in the Charlotte area. When she was crowned Miss USA, she was living in Charlotte and working as a civil litigation attorney.

• Kryst had a passion for social justice, often taking on pro bono cases to help clients serving long sentences for low-level drug offenses.
• Following her crowning, Kryst moved to New York City and became a correspondent and host for Extra where she interviewed people including Oprah Winfrey.

“She cared, she loved, she laughed and she shined,” the family shared in a news release on the day of her death. “We know her impact will live on.”

Flashback: When Axios Charlotte interviewed Kryst in 2019, she explained the highs and lows that come with the world of pageantry. She shared words of positivity and encouragement, as she was often known to do. And she expressed how her faith in God has helped her along the way.

• “I really believed that God had a plan for me,” she said then of her pursuit of the Miss USA crown.

What we know: New York Police say Kryst died after jumping from the Orion building in Manhattan, the AP reports. Her body was found at approximately 7am on Sunday morning.

What Charlotteans are saying: Kryst was impactful for many people in Charlotte and in the Carolinas in general. After hearing the news of her death, many shared memories and condolences on social media:

• “My deepest condolences to Cheslie Kryst’s family,” Mayor Vi Lyles tweeted Sunday evening. “Before she was Miss USA, we had lunch. She was proud to be a working attorney in Charlotte. We also did a number of charity events. She did it with grace and a smile. We are so saddened to lose her.”
• “Cheslie was full of laughs and life. … there was always love. I am so proud to have known her a friend and to be trusted by her until the very end. Rest in peace, Cheslie. You will be missed more than you could ever imagine,” LaToya Evans, Kryst’s long-time publicist, shared on Instagram.

• The Dean’s List, a Charlotte-based organization, created a new scholarship in Kryst’s honor. Applications open in April.

Kryst’s mom April Simpkins continued in her recent statement, adding, “Cheslie – to the world, you were a ball of sunshine wrapped in smiles. We talked, FaceTimed or texted one another all day, every day. You were more than a daughter – you were my very best friend. Talking with you was one of the best parts of my day. Your smile and laugh were infectious.

“I love you baby girl with all my heart. I miss you desperately. I know one day we’ll be together again. Until then, rest easy and in peace.”

Simpkins asks that in lieu of flowers, people make a donation to Dress for Success, “an organization that was dear to [Cheslie’s] heart,” she says.

• Make a donation here.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please know help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available for those in distress: 1-800-273-8255.

Editor’s note: This article was last updated at 3:50pm on February 2 to include the latest statement from Kryst’s family.