This article contains information that many people will find upsetting. 

Social media has been flooded with tributes for the former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, who tragically passed away on Sunday.

As reported by the New York Post, the pageant winner reportedly jumped to her death from her Midtown 60-story Orion building at around 7:15AM on Sunday morning. Sources say her body was discovered by passers-by on the street below.

She was 30 years old.

The news was confirmed by her family in a statement to the press which read: "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."

As well as being a model and former pageant winner, Kryst was also a complex litigation attorney and correspondent for ExtraTV.

It has now emerged that just hours before her death, Kryst shared a now-heartbreaking final Instagram post.

The post consists of a beautiful shot of Cheslie's face, with her hand on her cheek. Accompanying the photo was the caption: "May this day bring you rest and peace."

As of this writing, it has amassed over 30,000 comments from devastated friends and fans.

Fellow pageant competitor Nia Sanchez wrote: "There are no words. Your light will continue to shine."

Broadcaster Gio Benitez commented: "Oh sweet Cheslie… may you rest in eternal peace."

And ET correspondent Lauren Zima wrote: "I keep coming back here and refreshing your page and hoping this isn’t real. How can this be real."

In an Instagram post on her own page, Zima added: "I can’t believe this is real. I keep thinking there’s been a mistake. You were a beacon of light, with the biggest smile and such a loving spirit. A truly kind heart. In an industry that’s often about facades and competition, you were about genuineness and support. I so looked forward to seeing you every time I went to New York for work."

She added: "This is an immeasurable loss. Sending all of my love to her family and loved ones."

Countless tributes have also been shared to Twitter:

Our thoughts are with Kryst's family, friends, and fans at this time.

Featured image credit: Sipa US / Alamy

This article contains information that some readers may find upsetting. 

The official cause of death of former Miss USA, Cheslie Kryst, has been confirmed by the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner.

The 30-year-old beauty queen's death has been ruled a suicide, according to People. Kryst was pronounced dead after she fell from her high-rise apartment in New York City on Sunday.

"In devastation and great sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved Cheslie," her family said in a statement to Extra. "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."

The statement continued: "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."

Extra itself has shared a statement on her passing, writing in a tweet: "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."

Kryst's friend Kenya Moore opened up about her devastation upon hearing the news and even revealed that the two had spoken just last week.

"We were always texting and talking and in constant contact, laughing and sharing," the Real Housewives of Atlanta star wrote on Instagram on January 31. "She was a glorious human being and so sweet and caring I just can't deal with this. She made me so proud to call her my sister and the world proud. A true role model I looked up to HER!"

Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner also responded to the tragic news, writing: "You never know what someone is going through.@chesliekryst your presence in this world touched so many lives, including mine!"

She concluded: "Too many people suffer in silence…if you are struggling I beg of you to say something! Rest in power my sweet sister!"

Our thoughts are with Kryst's family and loved ones at this devastating time.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out for help and contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.

Featured image credit: Everett Collection Inc / Alamy

A woman made the decision to posthumously announce her own death on Instagram in order to bid farewell to her loved ones.

But despite the heartbreaking news, the beloved mom has also used her final message to help raise thousands of dollars to help others.

Casey McIntyre, a 38-year-old New Yorker sadly died of a recurrence of stage four ovarian cancer. She had drafted a final post dedicated to those closest to her so that she could tell them how much she loved them.

She wrote: "A note to my friends: if you’re reading this it means I have passed away. I’m so sorry, it’s horses**t and we both know it. The cause was a recurrence of my previously diagnosed stage four ovarian cancer.

"I loved each and every one of you with my whole heart and I promise you, I knew how deeply I was loved. The five months in home hospice that I got to spend with my family and friends in Virginia, Rhode Island, and New York were magical."

The post concluded there, however, her husband Andrew included some additional paragraphs on her behalf.

In an editor's note on the post, he revealed that Casey had "meant to finish this post with a list of things that were a comfort & a joy to her during her life", and he was "heartbroken" that he'd never be able to see the completed list.

"I imagine it would’ve included our daughter Grace, whales, ice cream, her beloved friends, being at the beach, her niece and nephews she incorrigibly doted on, reading 10 books on a weeklong vacation, her beloved parents and sister and their amazing extended family, swimming, a perfect roast beef sandwich, and me, her sweet sweet honey," Andrew wrote.

Since her passing, a page set up on RIP Medical Debt in honor of Casey has since raised over $224,000 - which will go towards helping others pay their medical expenses.

"We are honoring Casey by buying up others' medical debt and destroying it," the page reads.

According to the Daily Mail, RIP Medical Debt is a nonprofit that helps to erase debt purchased from hospitals, other healthcare providers, and the secondary debt market. According to the nonprofit, for every $1 donated, $100 of debt is purchased - with the aim of helping those on lower incomes who desperately need financial assistance.

In her final post, Andrew also asked those who knew Casey well to share a fond memory they had of the 38-year-old.

A number of commenters paid tribute to Casey, sharing personal memories they shared with her.

The grieving husband went on to say: "Casey’s honor will take place at 3pm on Saturday, December 2nd at the Prospect Park Boathouse. We will celebrate her life by anonymously purchasing medical debt and then anonymously forgiving it, hopefully with a bonfire if they will let us."

Per CNBC, approximately 100 million adults in the States have medical debts, with around 12% of people owing over $12,000.

Elsewhere in the post, Andrew asked that those attending her memorial service "wear something that expresses your deep sorrow at our loss, as well as something that expresses the joy you feel for having ever known Casey."

Our thoughts go out to Casey's loved ones at this time.

Featured image credit: SOPA Images / Getty

This article contains information that many people will find upsetting. 

Former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst has died at the age of 30.

As reported by the New York Post, the 2019 Miss USA pageant winner and lawyer reportedly jumped to her death from her Midtown 60-story Orion building at around 7:15AM on Sunday morning.

Sources say she was found dead by those passing by below.

Kryst's family has since released a statement on her passing, saying: "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's work as a correspondent for Extra earned her two Daytime Emmy nominations in the Outstanding Entertainment News Program category.

Extra has since shared a statement on her passing, writing in a tweet: "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."

Per Insider, Kryst was also a complex litigation attorney who worked pro bono. She helped clients who had served excessive sentences for low-level drug offenses.

A source informed the New York Post that Kryst left a note detailing her wishes that her possessions would be left to her mother.

Our thoughts are with Kryst's family, friends, and fans at this time.

Featured image credit: Everett Collection Inc / Alamy

Kadance Fredericksen - an 18-year-old beauty pageant queen and founder of the Kada’s Promise charity initiative - tragically lost her life in a head-on car crash on a Florida highway.

The horrific tragedy came just one week after being awarded a $40,000 college scholarship, per the Daily Mail.

Fredericksen - a former Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA winner - was driving her sedan on State Highway 4 in Baker, Florida, on Monday when she collided with a tractor-trailer driven by a 56-year-old man, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The truck driver suffered minor injuries.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash.

From Childhood Hardship to Pageant Success

Fredericksen’s journey to success was nothing short of inspirational. Before becoming a beloved pageant competitor and charity founder, she endured homelessness and abuse as a child.

“When I was little, I was abused and neglected by my biological mother and stepfather. During those times, the only thing I had to call my own was a stuffed animal I received as a gift years beforehand,” she told WCJB last year.

After being taken in by her father and adoptive mother, she found stability and turned her pain into purpose, launching Kada’s Promise in 2017.

The initiative provided teddy bears and blankets to children in foster care, abuse shelters, hospitals, and homeless shelters.

“During many dark times in my early childhood, the only thing that I could call my own or that made me feel safe was a single teddy bear that I received as a gift," she recalled. "I carried him with me from house to house, couch to couch, and clutched him tightly in the scariest times.

"It is from these memories that Kada’s Promise was born,” she wrote on the Kada’s Promise website."

Beyond her work with Kada’s Promise, Fredericksen used her pageant platform to raise $25,000 for the Ronald McDonald House, which provides temporary housing for families with children undergoing medical treatment.

A Promising Future Cut Short

Fredericksen was in her final year at Baker School and had been accepted into nine colleges, with plans to become a veterinarian.

Her bright future was further highlighted when she was awarded a $40,000 scholarship from the Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation — a fund created in honor of a nine-year-old boy who died from a brain tumor in 2021.

She shared her excitement in her final Instagram post on February 7, writing: “This generous support will help shape my future and bring me one step closer to achieving my dreams.

"Thank you to the Ingram family, the foundation, and everyone involved for this amazing honor!”

Community in Mourning

Fredericksen’s sudden passing has left her school, community, and the pageant world in shock.

Baker School issued a statement offering grief counselors to students, saying: “Please keep the family, the town, and the school in your thoughts as they will all miss and grieve this young lady.”

Tributes have flooded social media, with many remembering her for her kind heart, radiant spirit, and dedication to helping others.

"Such a bright future ahead of her. Accomplished so much in her young life. I pray Kada's Promise will continue to do the great work she was doing," one Instagram user wrote.

“Fly high beautiful! You would light up any room you were in,” one person wrote.

“Forever a Queen. Rest in peace sweet girl. My heart is broken,” another commented.

From being crowned Little Miss Northwest Florida in 2017 to competing in Miss Teen Florida last year, she carried herself with grace and determination. However, in her short life, Fredericksen’s impact transcended pageantry, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, resilience, and service.

Our thoughts go out to Fredericksen's family and loved ones at this time.

Featured image credit: Instagram/kadancefred