Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst dead at 30, family says
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By Kelli Dugan, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
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Cheslie Kryst, a former Miss USA winner and a correspondent at “Extra,” has died at the age of 30, according to a statement issued Sunday evening by her family and obtained by WSOC.
Police told The Washington Post that Kryst was pronounced dead after apparently jumping from an apartment building in Manhattan early Sunday morning.
“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 embodies 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,” the family wrote.
According to WSOC, Kryst, who earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina, was crowned Miss USA in May 2019. The former attorney passed the crown in November 2022, the TV station reported.
In a statement obtained by Variety, “Extra” offered its “deepest condolences” to Kryst’s family and friends.
“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,” the statement read.
According to Variety, Kryst was born in Jackson, Michigan, and earned both her law degree and MBA from Wake Forest University in 2017. As Miss USA 2019, she finished in the top 10 of that year’s Miss Universe competition and went on to earn two Daytime Emmy Award nominations for outstanding entertainment news program for her work on “Extra.”
Cheslie Kryst Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst Joins Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Board of Directors. (AP)
Cheslie Kryst Miss USA Cheslie Kryst attends the world premiere of "Like a Boss" at the SVA Theatre on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Cheslie Kryst In this Wednesday, May 8, 2019 photo, Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst poses for a portrait in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP) (Andy Kropa/Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)
Cheslie Kryst Cheslie Kryst arrives at the red carpet at the 2019 Black Girls Rock! Awards at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Brad Barket/Invision/AP) (Brad Barket/Brad Barket/Invision/AP)
Cheslie Kryst Cheslie Kryst arrives at the red carpet at the 2019 Black Girls Rock! Awards at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Brad Barket/Invision/AP) (Brad Barket/Brad Barket/Invision/AP)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Cheslie Kryst attends Annual Charity Day Hosted By Cantor Fitzgerald, BGC and GFI - BGC Office – Inside on September 11, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Cantor Fitzgerald) (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Cantor Fitzgerald BGC and GFI)
Cheslie Kryst 2019 MISS UNIVERSE: Live Show: Miss USA, Cheslie Kryst at the 2019 MISS UNIVERSE competition airing LIVE on Sunday, Dec. 8 (7:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images) (FOX /FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 30: Cheslie Kryst attends the "Gossip Girl" New York Premiere at Spring Studios on June 30, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/WireImage) (Dia Dipasupil/WireImage via Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 18: Cheslie Kryst visits "Extra" at The Levi's Store Times Square on November 18, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images) (John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 08: Cheslie Kryst is seen outside the 2021 Glamour Women of the Year Awards at the Rainbow Room on November 08, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Robert Kamau/GC Images) (Robert Kamau/GC Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 06: (L-R) Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, Miss Teen USA Kaliegh Garris and Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin speak at NYFW: The Talks, The Evolving Standard of Beauty presented by The Miss Universe Organization during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Spring Studios on February 06, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for IMG) (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for IMG)
Cheslie Kryst HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA - MAY 16: Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza and Cheslie Kryst pose onstage at the 69th Miss Universe competition at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on May 16, 2021 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images) (RODRIGO VARELA/Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst and Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi pose as Miss USA & Miss Universe celebrate Valentines Day with Limited Edition Heart Shaped Pizza at Buca di Beppo Times Square on February 5, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/WireImage) (Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/WireImage via Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 28: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) (L-R) Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst, Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi and Miss Teen USA 2019 Kaliegh Garris visit BuzzFeed's "AM To DM" on February 28, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images) (Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 08: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Steve Harvey interviews Miss USA Cheslie Kryst onstage at the 2019 Miss Universe Pageant at Tyler Perry Studios on December 08, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 28: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) (L-R) Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst, Miss Teen USA 2019 Kaliegh Garris, Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi and host Zach Stafford pose for photos at BuzzFeed's "AM To DM" on February 28, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images) (Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 06: (L-R) Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, Miss Teen USA Kaliegh Garris, Miss USA Cheslie Kryst and Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin attend New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Spring Studios on February 06, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for IMG) (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for IMG)
Cheslie Kryst HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA - MAY 16: Demi-Leigh Tebow, Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza and Cheslie Kryst pose onstage at the 69th Miss Universe competition at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on May 16, 2021 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images) (RODRIGO VARELA/Getty Images)
Cheslie Kryst NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst and Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi pose as Miss USA & Miss Universe celebrate Valentines Day at Planet Hollywood Times Square on February 5, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/WireImage) (Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/WireImage via Getty Images)