In a rather unexpected turn of events, Cheslie Kryst, winner of Miss USA 2019 has sadly passed away. A heartbroken Harnaaz Sandhu, the winner of Miss Universe 2021, mourned her late friend’s unfortunate passing. Harnaaz took to Instagram to convey her grievances. She posted an endearing photo on her Instagram story in which she can be seen having a hearty laugh with Cheslie Kryst. The photo was taken after Harnaaz was crowned Miss Universe 2021 in the event held in Eilat, Israel.

Mourning the tragic demise, she wrote, “This is heartbreaking and unbelievable, you were always an inspiration to many. Rest In Peace Cheslie”. She is said to have fallen from a “higher elevation” of a 60-story condominium in New York City around 7 am on Sunday, January 30th, and was pronounced dead on the scene. Her family confirmed her death in a statement. The NYPD (New York Police Department) shared that her death, who lived on the ninth floor, appears to be a suicide, adding that a medical examiner has yet to determine the official cause.

The 30-year-old beauty queen, lawyer and fashion blogger was born in Jackson, Michigan in 1991 and grew up in South Carolina. She studied at the University of South Carolina and graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2017. She won the title of Miss Carolina USA in 2019 and after being crowned Miss USA 2019, she took a sabbatical from work. She worked as a lawyer at the Poyner Spruill LLP firm in North Carolina as a civil litigator. She also founded the women’s business apparel blog White Collar Glam. In 2020, her firm appointed her its first diversity advisor. She also started working as a New York correspondent for Extra TV in 2019.