New York: Organizers of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants said on Monday they were "devastated" by the suicide of former Miss USA Chesley Crist, who often talked about stress and mental health.
In a statement, the Miss Universe and Miss USA organizations said they were "devastated to learn of the loss of Miss USA 2019 Chesley Crist."
"She was one of the brightest, warmest and kindest people we've had the privilege to know, and she entered every room," the statement read.
A police source in New York confirmed late Sunday that Christa's body was found on the floor of a skyscraper on 42nd Street in Manhattan around 7:00 p.m. (1200 GMT), as first reported by the New York Post .
"As per preliminary investigation, she had jumped from a high place," said the police source, adding that her death "appears to be suicide."
The New York Post said Krist, 30, jumped off a roof on the 29th floor of the Orion condominium tower where she lived.
A few hours before his death, Krist posted a photo of himself on Instagram, captioned: "May this day bring you comfort and peace."
American media paid tribute to him from his birth to fame in 1991 in the US state of Michigan. Krist, who was of mixed race, grew up in North Carolina before earning her law degree.
Releted - Former Miss USA Chesley Crist commits suicide after a secret post
Her mother was crowned Miss North Carolina in 2002, before Krist herself took to the runway and was crowned Miss North Carolina and then Miss USA in 2019 at the age of 28, the oldest contestant to win the pageant. She was
In the same year, she placed 10th in the Miss Universe pageant.
Although she left no explanation for her apparent suicide, The New York Times published several texts and statements made by Krist since 2019 in which she described her own psychological health, work stress, pressure, and the challenges of aging. addressed.
"At 30 feels like a cold reminder that I'm running out of time to matter in the eyes of society — and it's infuriating," she wrote in Allure magazine in March. (AFP)