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Utah beauty queen Brynn Carnesecca died by suicide at age 21 mere weeks before she was scheduled to compete in her next pageant.
“She took her own precious life, but she is more than what happened to her,” Brynn’s mother, Michele Carnesecca, told mourners at a candlelight vigil on Tuesday, July 28, per KSL News. “We would like to celebrate the amazing life she lived.”
Many of Brynn’s friends and family gathered at the vigil in American Fork, Utah, to celebrate the life and immense legacy of the pageant competitor.
“Oh, how she loved to laugh,” Michele told the local outlet. “What sets Brynn apart is that her life was all about service.”
She added, “Brynn loved her family and friends fiercely and was always there when you needed her. She was so loved.”
Brynn was crowned Miss American Fork in 2024 and later received the Miss Congeniality Award from her fellow competitors at Miss Utah in 2025. She was scheduled to compete next at Miss Provo on August 22, according to her Instagram bio.
Aside from her pageant success, Brynn was an accomplished journalist and activist. She founded Envelopes of Hope in 2024 to foster penpal relationships between her local community and its incarcerated population.
“I’ve seen so many lives change and how much empathy and connection can be built through these letters,” she told KSTU about Envelopes of Hope in September 2025. “As we reach out through this program, our worldview expands, and I’ve seen some amazing friendships take shape.”
Brynn Carnesecca Courtesy Instagram / Brynn Carnesecca
Following her death, the Miss American Fork organization highlighted the “impact” Brynn made on her local pageant scene.
“Our forever Miss American Fork 2024, Brynn Carnesecca has passed away,” the organization wrote via Instagram on Monday, July 27. “She made a great impact on our community and beyond and are grateful for her memory and impression on the Miss American Fork organization. We are deeply touched from her loss.”
Brynn was also associated with Utah Miss Amazing, an organization that promotes self-esteem for young women and girls with disabilities.
“Brynn’s kindness, compassion, and genuine heart made a lasting impact on everyone she met. She had a beautiful way of making our queens feel seen, supported, and loved. Whether she was cheering someone on, sharing a smile, or simply being present, Brynn embodied what Miss Amazing is all about,” a Utah Miss Amazing statement read. “We are so grateful for the time she spent with our Utah Miss Amazing family. Her light will continue to shine through the lives she touched and the memories we will forever cherish.”
Wualys Aquino, who competed to be Miss Universe Tegucigalpa pageant in Honduras, has died. She was 23. “The Miss Universe Tegucigalpa organization deeply mourns the passing of our runner-up, Wualys Aquino,” the organization wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, July 21, originally in Spanish and translated in English by Us. “We wish to express our condolences to […]
Brynn’s cousin, Kassidy Jackman Murdoch, recently set up a GoFundMe page to help the Carnesecca family navigate this difficult time. As of publication, the fundraising appeal has raised more than $28,000.
“Our family is heartbroken by Brynn’s unexpected passing. We want to honor her memory in a way that reflects her spirit and the love she gave to so many. Brynn touched countless lives through her work and her generosity, and we hope to celebrate her legacy with a meaningful memorial,” Jackman Murdoch wrote on the fundraising page.
Her statement went on, “Your support will help the family cover funeral expenses, create a memorial that truly honors Brynn, and provide comfort to her loved ones as we navigate this difficult time. We are grateful for any help you can offer. Please consider donating or sharing this fundraiser to help us honor Brynn and support our family.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
