Former Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst dies at 30

Cheslie Kryst, the Miss USA 2019 competition winner, has died. She was 30 years old at the time. An NYPD spokeswoman told that the beauty queen, lawyer, fashion blogger, and Extra TV correspondent fell from a “higher elevation” of a 60-story apartment in New York City shortly after 7 a.m. on Sunday, January 30, and was pronounced dead at the scene. They went on to explain that Kryst’s death, which occurred on the ninth floor, appeared to be a suicide, but that the official cause has yet to be determined by a medical examiner. “We share the devastation and great sorrow of our beloved Cheslie’s passing,” her family wrote in a statement to Extra.

“Her great light, with its beauty and strength, inspired others all around the world.” She was a woman who cared, loved, laughed, and shined.” The statement continued “Cheslie embodied love and served others in a variety of ways, as a social justice attorney, Miss USA, and Extra host. But, most significantly, as a daughter, sister, friend, mentor, and colleague, we are confident that her impact will live.

The family requests privacy at this time as we reflect on our loss.” Kryst was last seen on social media just hours before she died. Kryst posted a glamorous photo of herself looking to the side on her Instagram page, writing, “May this day bring you rest and peace.” “Best of luck at Miss USA and Miss Teen USA!” Kryst posted on her Instagram Story on Saturday, January 29, congratulating Miss North Carolina USA Morgan Romano and Miss North Carolina Teen USA Gabby Ortega.

Kryst grew up in South Carolina after being born in Jackson, Michigan in 1991. Kryst graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2017 after going to The University of South Carolina. She worked as a civil litigator at the North Carolina firm Poyner Spruill LLP.

She also started the White Collar Glam blog for women in business. She has crowned Miss North Carolina USA in 2019 and took a break from work after being crowned Miss USA 2019. Her firm called her its first diversity advisor in 2020. In the same year, Kryst started working for Extra as a New York correspondent. “Our hearts are broken,” the show’s creators said in a statement on the show’s website.

Cheslie was not only an important element of our show, but she was also a valued member of our Extra family who had an impact on the entire staff. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her entire family and friends “at the time.