Carrie Everett, the first Liberian American to be crowned Miss North Carolina, has died at 22 after an eight-month battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
The pageant star, who also made history as the first student from a Historically Black College and University to win the title, passed away on Sunday.
Carrie first rose to prominence in June 2024 while a sophomore at North Carolina Central University.
She shared at the time, “I can be the first but not the last,” encouraging young women at HBCUs across the country to pursue similar opportunities.
A talented vocal performance major, she had been set to graduate in 2027 and had earned recognition at the Miss America competition, winning the talent award and a scholarship for her performance.
Her health began to decline in the summer of 2025 while visiting family in Seattle. After experiencing severe bloating and persistent coughing, scans revealed masses in her abdomen, swollen lymph nodes, and a thickening stomach lining.
A biopsy confirmed metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive gastric cancer.
Carrie underwent intensive treatment, including chemotherapy, which initially showed promise.
Her family shared in October 2025 that the tumors had shrunk significantly. However, a recent update revealed the traditional chemo treatments were no longer effective, prompting plans to transfer her to another facility for care.
On April 6, her family confirmed her passing in an emotional statement: “We are heartbroken to share that last night, the beautiful nightingale, Helen Carrie Everett, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.”
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