The mother of former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, April Simpkins, released a statement following the tragic death of her daughter, admitting that she is "forever changed" by the sudden loss. In the statement shared with Blavity, Simpkins revealed Kryst was quietly dealing with "high-functioning depression," hiding her true feelings from not only the world but also her family. 

As Blavity previously
reported, Kryst died on Sunday after she fell to her death from her high-rise apartment in New York City.

"I have never known a pain as deep as this," Kryst's mother wrote. "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," Simpkins continued.