Cheslie Kryst.Photo: Dia Dipasupil/WireImage
Cheslie Kryst’s mother is opening up about losing her daughter.
The former Miss USA’s death was ruled a suicide, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examinerconfirmed to PEOPLEon Tuesday. She was 30 years old.
“While it may be hard to believe, it’s true. Cheslie led both a public and a private life. 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,” Simpkins continued.
Although Kryst’s “life on this earth was short, it was filled with many beautiful memories,” her mother wrote.
“We miss her laugh, her words of wisdom, her sense of humor and mostly her hugs. We miss all of it — we miss all of her. She was a vital part of our family which makes this loss even more devastating,” Simpkins added.
Cheslie Kryst.
In lieu of flowers, Simpkins asks that any donations be made toDress for Success, “an organization that was dear” to her daughter’s heart.
“If you or anyone else is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 800-273-8255,” she added. “Thank you all for continuing to respect the privacy of our family while we grieve.”
Simpkins' own history with beauty pageants had a profound impact on Kryst as a child.
In 2002, Simpkins was named Mrs. North Carolina — becoming just the second Black woman to hold the title, according to theCharlotte Observer.
“I remember watching her win and going to appearances with her during her reign,” Kryst, who was also an attorney and social justice advocate,wrotein a 2019 blog post for the North Carolina Bar Association. “Her title provided her with a platform to advocate for issues that were important to her and people listened.”
The experience inspired Kryst to start competing.
“It was a time in my life when I didn’t know who I was and wasn’t confident in myself. I was that little weird kid who had a unibrow and didn’t have any friends,” she said in 2019, according to theAssociated Press. “I thought I want to be just like her.”
Cheslie Kryst, Miss North Carolina USA 2019, is crowned Miss USA 2019.The Miss Universe Organization
“Cheslie embodied love and served others, whether through her work as an attorney fighting for social justice, as Miss USA and as a host onExtra. But most importantly, as a daughter, sister, friend, mentor and colleague — we know her impact will live on,” they added.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, 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.
source: people.com
