Cheslie Kryst former Miss USA dies at 30

Former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst has died.

A New York Police Department spokesperson confirmed to Insider that Kryst jumped from a 60-story building in Manhattan, where she was a resident, on Sunday morning.

Kryst, who won the Miss USA title in 2019 while representing North Carolina, was 30 years old.

In a statement Kryst's family said they know the pageant's queen "impact will live on."

"In devastation and great sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved Cheslie," it read. "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."

[SOURCE: INSIDER]

Miss Kentucky Elle Smith crowned Miss USA 2021

Miss Kentucky Elle Smith has won the 2021 Miss USA pageant. Smith's victory makes it three years in a row that a Black woman was crowned Miss USA.

Smith is a 2020 graduate of University of Kentucky, the school said on Twitter. She majored in Broadcast Journalism, according to a biography posted by Louisville's WHAS11, where she works as a reporter. While at UK, Smith served as vice-president of the school's National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) chapter, the station said.

Smith posted about her victory on Instagram:

GOD IS SO GOOD.

I am thrilled and honored to be your Miss USA 2021. I can’t say thank you enough to every single person who has supported me on this journey. Every single comment, every single message and prayer did not go unnoticed.

To the great state of Kentucky, you will forever have my heart. You believed and loved on me since I was crowned in May and there is no other state I would have wanted to represent on the Miss USA stage.

She will go on to represent the U.S. at the 2021 Miss Universe pageant, scheduled for Dec. 12 in Eilat, Israel.