Did Cheslie Kryst leave a suicide note? Miss USA ‘wanted to leave everything to her mother’
Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst, who fell to her death on Sunday, January 30, from a Midtown apartment building, had reportedly left a note stating that she “wanted to leave everything to her mother,” the New York Post reported by quoting multiple sources. The note, however, did not apparently mention the reason why she took her own life.
Kryst’s mother April Simpkins, who was crowned Mrs North Carolina in 2002, was reportedly her role model. She had once said, “My mom is my role model. I always look up to her and ask her for her advice. As a state pageant champion, she’s built an incredible A role model, I wanted to follow in her footsteps because I held her highly.”
READ MORE
Cheslie Kryst death: Former Miss USA's final post hours before fatal fall leaves fans devastated
Cheslie Kryst: Miss USA 2019 who jumped to death from NYC condo was a #MeToo advocate
Kryst was 30-year-old and lived on the ninth floor of the 60-story building in New York City. She was reportedly last seen on a terrace of the 29th floor. After her death, her family released a statement that read, “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. 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.”
Our hearts are broken. 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. https://t.co/KkkW7POQoU
— ExtraTV (@extratv) January 30, 2022
A police source said that the beauty queen was “not only beautiful but she was smart — she was a lawyer. She has a life that anyone would be jealous of. … It’s so sad.” Kryst also used to work for ExtraTV. They paid tribute to her after her tragic death by sharing a post on their Twitter page, “Our hearts are broken. 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.”
Though there is no confirmation if Kryst was having any issue, in October 2019, she spoke for World Mental Health Day on Facebook. She had said, “I do a lot to make sure that I maintain my mental health. And the most important thing that I did is talk to a counselor. She’s really easy to talk to. She gives me great strategies especially if I’m sad or happy or have a busy month ahead of me. When I’m not talking to my counselor, I spend time at the end of every single day to just decompress. I unplug, I shut my phone off, I don’t answer messages. I just sit and watch my favorite movies.”
In 2020 also, she addressed mental health issues and told The Hilltop: “There are three things that I’m doing with regard with self-care. No. 1, I try to set a regular schedule so my alarm rings every day at 6:45. I know that I’m getting up and I’m starting my day. Two, I try to set very clear boundaries, so even though I’m at home and I’ve got my computer, my phone with me, I’m done answering emails at 6 o’clock, I’m not responding to messages. It’s over,” before adding, “I have a regular workout schedule that keeps my body healthy and my mind sharp.”