Former Miss USA winner and “Extra” correspondent Cheslie Kryst has died after falling from her high-rise apartment building in Manhattan. She was 30 years old. NYPD sources are calling the case a suspected suicide, saying that early Sunday morning Kryst jumped from the 60-story building, where she resided on the ninth floor. She was last seen on a terrace on the building’s 29th floor.
Kryst’s death was confirmed in a statement from her family: “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. As we reflect on our loss, the family asks for privacy at this time.”
Kryst graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in marketing and human resource management. She subsequently enrolled at Wake Forest University School of Law, where she graduated with an MBA and Juris Doctor in 2017. Kryst competed in pageants throughout her education, and represented North Carolina at the Miss USA competition, where she won the national title. She also represented the USA at that year’s Miss Universe competition, where she finished in the top 10.
Kryst began working as a N.Y. correspondent for “Extra” in Oct. 2019, receiving two Daytime Emmy Award nominations for outstanding entertainment news program for her work on the show. A statement from “Extra” read: “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.”
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