How Did Cheslie Kryst Kill Herself? The Full Story

On the morning of January 30, 2022, the world was stunned by the sudden death of Cheslie Kryst—a vibrant attorney, Emmy-nominated entertainment correspondent for Extra, and former Miss USA 2019. To millions of admirers, she represented the pinnacle of grace, intellect, and achievement. Because her public persona radiated positivity and confidence, the news prompted widespread shock and confusion, with many people searching for answers about how did cheslie kryst kill herself and what hidden struggles she had been facing behind closed doors.

Kryst died after jumping from the 60-story luxury condominium building where she resided in Midtown Manhattan. Her death forced an urgent global conversation about high-functioning depression, the intense pressures placed on high achievers, and how deeply individuals can suffer even while maintaining a facade of success.

The Official Findings and Cause of Death

Following the incident on West 42nd Street, emergency personnel responded to a call outside The Orion, a residential high-rise where Kryst owned a ninth-floor apartment. She was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.

Two days later, on February 1, 2022, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner officially confirmed her cause and manner of death. The medical examiner determined that Kryst died from multiple blunt impact injuries sustained from a high fall and officially ruled the manner of death as suicide. Investigators found no evidence of foul play.

Examining How Cheslie Kryst Killed Herself and Her Final Moments

In the hours and days following her passing, authorities and family members pieced together her final movements. Witnesses and security footage showed that Kryst was last seen on a 29th-floor terrace of the residential tower shortly before 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 30.

Shortly before her death, Kryst posted a final photograph to her personal Instagram account with a caption that read: "May this day bring you rest and peace."

She also left behind a text message sent directly to her mother, April Simpkins. Because Kryst anticipated her mother might be in an exercise class and unable to see the phone immediately, she scheduled or sent the message knowing it would arrive just prior to her death. In the heartbreaking text, Kryst apologized for the pain her actions would cause, expressed her deep love for her family, and stated that she could no longer bear the crushing weight of her persistent sadness and depression.

Crisis Support Services

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, self-harm, or thoughts of suicide, support is available 24/7. You do not have to carry the burden alone:

• In the United States: Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or chat online at 988lifeline.org.
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.
• International Resources: Find confidential help in your country via findahelpline.com.

The Hidden Reality of High-Functioning Depression

One of the reasons Kryst’s death reverberated so intensely across the globe was the stark contrast between her outward reality and her internal anguish. Her mother later appeared on several platforms, including Red Table Talk, to speak candidly about Cheslie’s lifelong struggle with high-functioning depression.

High-functioning depression—often clinically diagnosed as persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)—can be notoriously difficult to detect from the outside. Individuals experiencing it often:

• Continue to excel at school, athletics, or demanding careers.
• Maintain active, supportive social lives and appear warm and engaging.
• Meticulously manage their public appearances to avoid burdening loved ones.
• Feel intense internal loneliness, exhaustion, and chronic emotional numbness despite their outward success.

Simpkins revealed that Cheslie had survived a prior suicide attempt in her early twenties. While Cheslie sought professional therapy and took active steps to manage her mental health over the years, the depression was a persistent, cyclical battle that became increasingly difficult for her to navigate.

Societal Pressure, Aging, and Perfectionism

In March 2021, less than a year before her death, Kryst authored a deeply introspective essay for Allure titled "A Pageant Queen Reflects on Turning 30." The piece offered rare insight into the immense mental toll imposed by societal expectations, perfectionism, and the fear of aging in the public eye.

In the essay, Kryst reflected on how society treats women who turn 30 as though their value has expired. She wrote candidly about her relentless drive to collect accomplishments—two law degrees, an MBA, national pageant crowns, television accolades—as a subconscious way to justify her worth.

She observed: "Why work so hard to capture the world’s validation if it’s so fleeting? ... Each time I told myself, 'I need to work harder,' too often I found that what I was really working for was validation from others."

While the essay demonstrated remarkable self-awareness, it also underscored the profound burden carried by individuals who equate personal self-worth solely with relentless productivity, public admiration, and external achievement.

The Posthumous Memoir: By the Time You Read This

To honor her daughter's legacy and assist others who might be quietly suffering, April Simpkins completed and published Cheslie’s unfinished memoir in April 2024, titled By the Time You Read This: The Space Between Cheslie’s Smile and Mental Illness.

The book is divided into two distinct perspectives: the first half is written directly by Cheslie herself before her death, chronicling her thoughts, fears, and private struggles. The second half is penned by her mother, recounting the harrowing aftermath, the grieving process, and practical guidance on how friends and families can support loved ones battling depression.

All net proceeds from the book were pledged to the Cheslie C. Kryst Foundation, established through The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which funds mental health initiatives and youth programs.

Cheslie Kryst’s Enduring Legacy

Beyond the tragic circumstances of her death, Cheslie Kryst left behind a monumental legacy that continues to inspire change across multiple arenas:

• Criminal Justice Advocacy: As a licensed attorney in North and South Carolina, Kryst worked pro bono on complex civil litigation cases and collaborated with The Buried Alive Project to secure reduced sentences and freedom for nonviolent drug offenders serving life sentences under outdated federal laws.
• Breaking Pageant Barriers: When Kryst won Miss USA in 2019 alongside Miss America Nia Franklin, Miss Teen USA Kaliegh Garris, and Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, it marked the first time in history that all four major pageant titles were held simultaneously by Black women.
• Television Journalism: As a correspondent for Extra, she earned two Daytime Emmy nominations, interviewing some of the biggest names in Hollywood with warmth, sharp intellect, and genuine curiosity.

Cheslie Kryst’s life was defined by intelligence, kindness, and public service. While her death remains a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating toll of mental illness, her story has catalyzed crucial conversations about the necessity of checking in on our strongest friends, destigmatizing mental health treatment, and understanding that professional success is never an immunization against internal suffering.