Carrie Everett, the former Miss North Carolina 2024, has tragically passed away at the age of 22 following a brief but intense battle with stomach cancer. Her family confirmed her death in an Instagram post on Monday, April 6, where they described her as “the beautiful nightingale” and shared their heartbreak at her loss.
A Legacy of Advocacy and Praise
The family’s emotional post read, “We are heartbroken to share that last night, the beautiful nightingale, Helen Carrie Everett, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.” They went on to acknowledge her undeniable impact on the world and promised to carry on her legacy of advocacy and praise.
The post requested privacy as they mourned her passing, and it concluded with a request for prayers during this difficult time.
Cancer Diagnosis and Struggles
Carrie Everett was diagnosed with metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) in the summer of the previous year. SRCC is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that often originates in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly the stomach.
After experiencing severe bloating and coughing, Carrie initially sought medical attention, where she was misdiagnosed with pneumonia. However, further testing revealed masses in her abdomen, enlarged lymph nodes, and thickening of the stomach lining, leading to her cancer diagnosis.
According to a GoFundMe page set up for Everett, her cancer was identified after blood work revealed elevated cancer markers. Just days later, she began coughing up blood, was rushed to the hospital, and was admitted for further care. She was ultimately diagnosed with the rare and aggressive form of gastric cancer.
Treatment and Final Days
Despite undergoing chemotherapy, which proved ineffective, Everett’s family shared a March 21 update on the fundraiser page, noting that traditional treatments were not working. The family sought to move Carrie to a different facility for further treatment, but sadly, she passed away just 15 days later.
In the family’s Instagram post, they wrote, “The cries of her heart became songs that stirred the spirits of everyone who had the pleasure of hearing her sing.” They added that she had lived a “full life” and in her final moments, both on stage and in life, she “proclaimed the goodness of God.”
Mourning the Loss
The news of Carrie’s passing has left many of her friends, fans, and pageant peers heartbroken. Miss America 2025, Abbie Stockard, wrote on Instagram, “Beautiful Carrie. I am so thankful to have been impacted by you and your light. Carrie was truly a ray of sunshine everywhere she went. Her faith could move mountains. She will be deeply missed. I just know you are singing with the angels.”
Social media influencer Taryn Delanie Smith shared her sadness, writing, “I am heartbroken to hear this. She is a light, and I had absolutely rejoiced in watching her journey as a young woman. My deepest condolences to her loved ones.”
Podcaster Tiffani Singleton also shared her condolences, saying, “Darling Carrie. Thank you for gifting so many with your wonderful spirit and beautiful presence. I’ll never forget meeting you at Miss America and thinking to myself, ‘she is beauty personified.’”
A Life Well Lived
Carrie Everett’s death has deeply affected all who knew her, both personally and through her public advocacy. Her passion for life, unwavering faith, and radiant personality made an impact on those around her, and her loss is felt by many.
Her family’s request for privacy during this time is a poignant reminder of the importance of cherishing loved ones, even as they mourn the passing of an extraordinary young woman who touched the lives of countless people.
