Chelsie Kryst, the 2019 winner of the Miss USA pageant, has died. She was 30.
According to NBC New York, the NYPD found a body early Sunday morning on West 42nd Street in front of the Orion building. Police later confirmed Kryst had jumped from the building and was pronounced dead at the scene.
“In devastation and great sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved Cheslie. Her great light was one that inspired others around the world with her beauty and strength,” he family said in a statement.
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. But most importantly, as a daughter, sister, friend, mentor and colleague — we know her impact will live on.
Kryst, who was a lawyer in addition to a correspondent on Extra, penned an article for Allure in 2021 where she reflected on becoming the oldest Miss USA champion and her thoughts about turning 30.
“Society has never been kind to those growing old, especially women. (Occasional exceptions are made for some of the rich and a few of the famous.),” she wrote at the time.
As she described achievement after achievement, Kryst questioned why she strived for each one.
“I nearly worked myself to death, literally, until an eight-day stint in a local hospital sparked the development of a new perspective,” she wrote.
I discovered that the world’s most important question, especially when asked repeatedly and answered frankly, is: why? Why earn more achievements just to collect another win? Why pursue another plaque or medal or line item on my resume if it’s for vanity’s sake, rather than out of passion? Why work so hard to capture the dreams I’ve been taught by society to want when I continue to only find emptiness?
Following the tragic news, tributes poured in.
“Our hearts are broken,” Extra in a statement. “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.”
Police will investigate her death, Detective Martin Brown confirmed to CNN.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, know there is help. Please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go tosuicidepreventionlifeline.org.
