Cheslie Kryst, the winner of the Miss USA 2019 competition, has died. At the time, she was 30 years old. The beauty queen, lawyer, fashion blogger, and Extra TV journalist died on the scene after falling from a "higher elevation" of a 60-story apartment in New York City shortly after 7 a.m. on Sunday, January 30.
They went on to claim that Kryst's death on the ninth floor seemed to be a suicide, but that a medical examiner has yet to determine the official cause of death.
"In devastation and great sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved Cheslie," Extra obtained a statement from her relatives. "Her great light inspired others around the world with her beauty and strength. She cared, she loved, she laughed and she shined."
Kryst was last seen on social media just hours before she died. Kryst shared a stunning selfie of herself glancing to the side on her Instagram page earlier on Sunday, remarking, "May this day bring you rest and peace."
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 attending the University of South Carolina. She worked as a civil litigator at the North Carolina company 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 employment after being crowned Miss USA 2019. Her company hired its first diversity advisor in 2020.
"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," the producers added at the time.
Harnaaz posted a lovely photo on her Instagram Story on Monday, in which she can be seen smiling with Cheslie after Cheslie's victory at the 70th Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Eilat, Israel.
Further, she wrote, “This is heartbreaking and unbelievable, you were always an inspiration to many. Rest In Peace Cheslie.”
The death of Kryst, who lived on the ninth floor, looks to be a suicide, according to E! News, though a medical examiner has yet to determine the official cause.