Celebs

Mother Of Cheslie Kryst Releases Statement About Her Daughter’s Passing And Its Cause

Earlier this week, headlines about Cheslie Kryst’s passing took over social platforms. Fans of the former Miss USA 2019 and television correspondent expressed devastation at her sudden loss. At the time, multiple reports said Cheslie fell from a New York City high-rise building on the morning of January 30.

Mother Releases Statement

On Wednesday, Cheslie’s mother April Simpkins published a statement about her daughter’s passing, including her cause of death. April said no pain has been “as deep” as losing Cheslie. The moment “forever changed” the grieving mother.

April’s heart-wrenching caption included photos and video footage featuring her and Cheslie. A report of her death published by the New York Post claimed the deceased 30-year-old left a note behind. April did not confirm or deny the existence of a note.

“Today, what our family and friends privately knew was the cause of death of my sweet baby girl, Cheslie, was officially confirmed. While it may be hard to believe, its true,” April wrote. “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.”

A Scholar, Beauty, Correspondent And Daughter

Cheslie’s accomplishments extended beyond pageantry. She reportedly earned her law degree and master’s of business administration at Wake Forest University. Cheslie reportedly practiced with the Poyner Spruill law firm in Charlotte, North Carolina when she won Miss USA. She continued her work with the firm following her win, per NBC News.Cheslie also worked as an Extra correspondent.

But what her mother says the family will miss most is her character and presence.

“While her life on this earth was short, it was filled with many beautiful memories. We miss her laugh, her words of wisdom, her sense of humor and mostly her hugs,” April wrote. “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.”

April then dedicated a paragraph solely to her daughter.

“Cheslie to the world, you were a ball of sunshine wrapped in smiles. We talked, FaceTimed or texted one another all day, every day,” April wrote. “You were more than a daughter – you were my very best friend. Talking with you was one of the best parts of my day. Your smile and laugh were infectious. I love you baby girl with all my heart. I miss you desperately. I know one day well be together again. Until then, rest easy and in peace.”

At this time, lets continue to cover Cheslies family in prayers, peace, healing and love!

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Cassandra Santiago

Cassandra Santiago is a multimedia journalist, editor, and editorial strategist with over a decade of experience shaping conversations across arts, entertainment, culture, and global news. A graduate of the University of Iowa, she has built a cross-platform career spanning newspapers, magazines, radio, and digital media. She joined The Shade Room five years ago and currently serves as a Senior Editor, where she leads editorial direction, oversees exclusive coverage, and trains and edits a team of writers. Cassandra has played a key role in developing high-impact content and editorial strategies for an audience of more than 30 million, contributing to platform growth, engagement, and monetization across multiple channels. In addition to her leadership role, she remains a daily contributor, with her articles generating more than 41 million views since 2023. Beyond The Shade Room, Cassandra offers freelance social media strategy services, speaks on the influence and impact of Black media at public panels, and owns Did It For You, an event design company in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. She is Poynter Institute–certified and was named to the DMV’s 35 Under 35 list in 2024.

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