THE parents of Cheslie Kryst, who tragically took her own life on January 30, 2022, have issued a statement surrounding their daughter's death.

Cheslie was pronounced dead after falling from her high-rise apartment in New York City in what police believe to be a suicide.

Who is Cheslie Kryst's mom?

Cheslie's mum is April Simpkins.

April is a HR boss with more than 30 years experience and is currently the Chief Human Resources Officer of Totalhr – a human resources business focused on helping small and mid-sized enterprises.

She is well recognised for her business skills and received the Charlotte Business Journal's 2020 Women In Business Achievement Award, the York County Regional Chamber's 2018 Fort Mill/Tega Cay Business Person of the Year Award, the Business Leader Magazine's Movers & Shaker Award, and the Mecklenburg Times' 50 Most Influential Women Award in 2016, according to Speakers Bureau.

Cheslie one said her mum had inspired her.

She said: "My mom is my role model. I always look up to her and ask her for her advice.

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"As a state pageant champion, she’s built an incredible A role model, I wanted to follow in her footsteps because I held her highly.

"So did my decision to double major in Marketing and Human Resource Management. I vividly remember sitting in my advisor’s office as an undergrad , chose my management major—HR or entrepreneurship.

"My mom made HR sound fun, so that’s what I chose."

Who is Cheslie Kryst's dad?

Rodney Kryst was a Polish American bodybuilder, according to Vim Buzz.

Not much else is known about Rodney but Cheslie did once report also being inspired by her dad.

Wishing her dad a happy birthday, she said: "Today is a special day to show appreciation to all the fathers and father figures who have made our lives special.

"My dad introduced me to athletics. He took my siblings and me to the track every weekend when we were young when we didn’t want to. And he told us endless stories of his body-building days."

What has April Simpkins said on Cheslie Kryst's death?

Following her death, a statement from the Kryst family 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 cares, she loved, she laughed and she shined. Cheslie embodied love and served others, whether through her work as an attorney or 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."

An investigation is underway, however, police believe the former beauty queen, who lived on the 9th floor, jumped to her death.

According to the New York Post, Cheslie was last seen on the building’s terrace, which is on the 29th floor. The building is located at 350 West 42nd Street.

Chillingly, Cheslie shared a photo of herself on Instagram just hours before her death with the caption, “May this day bring you rest and peace.”

In the 2019 Miss USA pageant, Cheslie took home the crown as Miss North Carolina. She was an attorney and later worked as a correspondent for Extra after winning the title.

In March last year, Cheslie penned an essay in which she recounted how she had been working herself to death and about being trolled.

In the essay, written for Allure in March last year, she said that she “cringed” at the thought of turning 30. “Society has never been kind to those growing old, especially women,” she wrote.

“…Turning 30 feels like a cold reminder that I’m running out of time to matter in society’s eyes – and it’s infuriating.”

She detailed her struggle with “the relentless tick of time” and being enamored with “20 under 20” and “30 under 30” lists that linked achievement to being young and successful. 

According to Cheslie, that kind of mindset created an unfortunate side effect on young people, who might have been encouraged to accomplish feats as fast as possible.

You’re not alone

SUICIDE is the 10th leading cause of death in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Leading Causes of Death Report from 2018.

There were "more than two and half times as many suicides" in the US than there were homicides, according to the report.

For people ages 10 and 34, suicide was the "second leading cause of death" and the fourth for individuals ages 35 to 54.

Suicide is a vital health concern in the U.S. It affects all genders, races and ages.

This is why The-Sun.com launched the You're Not Alone campaign.

The campaign calls on readers to discuss their mental health issues with their family, friends and health professionals. We can all pitch in to help out others who may be suffering and help save lives.

If you are struggling to cope, you are not alone. There are many free and confidential programs in the US aimed to help those who are struggling with their mental health.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health problems, these organizations are here to provide support:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org, 1-800-273-TALK
• Crisis Text Line, www.crisistextline.org, Text HOME to 741741
• Veterans Crisis Hotline, www.veteranscrisisline.net, 1-800-273-8255
• Trevor Project, www.thetrevorproject.org, 1-866-488-7386

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