American Fork pageant queen Brynn Carnesecca died by suicide Sunday at age 21, just weeks before she was expected to return to the pageant stage in Provo. The former Miss American Fork was remembered locally as a student journalist, community advocate and founder of a service project built around giving people a sense of connection.
Her mother, Michele Carnesecca, confirmed the suicide to KSL, according to TMZ. The outlet reported that a close friend said Carnesecca had been in therapy for personal struggles, felt she was doing better and had not made clear how serious those struggles remained; the friend described her as “a light that was so bright.”
Her Pageant Career Took Her From American Fork To Miss Utah
Carnesecca was crowned Miss American Fork in 2024 after impressing judges with her public speaking, piano performance and focus on service, according to the American Fork Citizen. She later studied journalism at Brigham Young University and worked as an intern with KSL.com while continuing to represent her hometown.
At the 2025 Miss Utah competition, the Miss Utah Scholarship Organization listed Carnesecca among the top 15 semifinalists and said she received the Miss Congeniality award. She also earned recognition for raising money for the organization and performed classical piano during the competition.
Envelopes Of Hope Became Her Signature Service Project
Carnesecca founded Envelopes of Hope, a Utah program designed to connect incarcerated people with volunteer pen pals. The Daily Herald reported that she worked with the Utah Department of Corrections after her own high school pen-pal experience inspired her to create a similar program in the state.
She said the letters were meant to offer friendship, hope and a reminder that incarcerated people were still part of the broader community. The project became a central part of her year as Miss American Fork and helped define the service-first image that fellow pageant contestants remembered.
Support Is Available For Anyone In Crisis
If this story raises concerns for you or someone you know, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The service is available around the clock in the United States for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or concern about someone else.
