The family of Cheslie Kryst, the Charlotte native and former Miss USA 2019 is launching a memorial fund on the first anniversary of her death.
A year ago the Miss Universe community experienced an incredible loss. The former Miss USA lost her life at the age of 30 after falling from her apartment in New York City in a suspected suicide.
Earlier this month, Kryst’s mother, April Simpkins, announced a partnership with the National Alliance on Mental illness, a nonprofit organization that has established the Cheslie C. Kyrst memorial fund for mental health.
The fund will focus on mental health challenges including high-functioning depression.
“Cheslie dealt with high-functioning depression,” said Simpkins while announcing the fund at the Miss Universe 2023 pageant in New Orleans.
“The Cheslie you saw didn’t always match the way she felt inside. Just because someone tells you they’re fine, doesn’t mean they are.”
