April Simpkins and her daughter Cheslie Kryst
By Our Reporter
The mother of the late former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, April Simpkins, has revealed that her daughter died as a result of depression, the 53 year-old mother of late beauty queen added that her daughter kept her condition a secret from friends and family.
In a post on Facebook Wednesday, she said her daughter was grappling with “high functioning depression”, which she kept a secret from her closest friends and family.
April Simpkins said she only learned about her daughter’s battle with depression shortly before the 30-year-old leapt to her death from the 29th floor of a 60-storey Manhattan condominium on Sunday.
The beauty queen, who was a lawyer and TV reporter left behind in her 9th floor apartment a note in which she willed her earthly possessions to her mum.
Read Simpkins post:
I have never known a pain as deep as this. I am forever changed.
Today, what our family and friends privately knew was the cause of death of my sweet baby girl, Cheslie, was officially confirmed. While it may be hard to believe, it’s true. Cheslie led both a public and a private life. In her private life, she was dealing with high-functioning depression which she hid from everyone – including me, her closest confidant – until very shortly before her death.
While her life on this earth was short, it was filled with many beautiful memories. We miss her laugh, her words of wisdom, her sense of humor and mostly her hugs. We miss all of it – we miss all of her. She was a vital part of our family which makes this loss even more devastating.
Cheslie – to the world, you were a ball of sunshine wrapped in smiles. We talked, FaceTimed or texted one another all day, every day. You were more than a daughter – you were my very best friend. Talking with you was one of the best parts of my day. Your smile and laugh were infectious.
I love you baby girl with all my heart. I miss you desperately. I know one day we’ll be together again. Until then, rest easy and in peace.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Dress for Success, an organization that was dear to her heart. If you or anyone else is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 800-273-8255.
Thank you all for continuing to respect the privacy of our family while we grieve. For any additional inquiries, please contact LaToya Evans (LEPR Agency) at [email protected].
