The pageant world is in mourning following the tragic death of Carrie Everett, the former Miss North Carolina winner, who passed away at just 22 years old after a brief and courageous fight against stomach cancer. Her family confirmed the devastating news in an emotional Instagram post on Monday, April 6, sharing their heartbreak over the loss of their beloved "beautiful nightingale."
A Life Cut Short by Rare Cancer
Carrie Everett, who was crowned Miss North Carolina in 2024, succumbed to metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC), a rare and aggressive form of gastric cancer. According to a GoFundMe fundraiser established to support her treatment, she was diagnosed with this condition last year during the summer of 2025. SRCC is a type of cancer that most commonly originates in the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the stomach, as noted by medical experts at the Cleveland Clinic.
Symptoms and Diagnosis Journey
Everett's health struggles began after she completed her sophomore year of college and returned home to Seattle. She started experiencing intense bloating and persistent coughing, symptoms that initially led doctors to misdiagnose her with pneumonia. However, further medical investigations revealed a more sinister reality: masses in her abdomen, enlarged lymph nodes, and thickening in her stomach lining.
Blood tests eventually identified cancer markers, and after she began coughing up blood, she was rushed to the hospital. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma, setting off a challenging battle against the disease.
Treatment Challenges and Final Days
An update shared on the GoFundMe page on March 21 detailed that traditional chemotherapy treatments were proving ineffective against Everett's cancer. The family announced plans to move her out of state to a different medical facility in hopes of finding a more successful treatment approach. They appealed for donations and prayers to support her fight.
Tragically, just 15 days after this update, Carrie Everett passed away. Her family's Instagram post poignantly described her as someone whose "cries of her heart became songs that stirred the spirits of everyone who had the pleasure of hearing her sing." They emphasized that she lived a full life and, with her last words, proclaimed the goodness of God.
Outpouring of Tributes and Condolences
The news of Everett's death has sparked an outpouring of grief from friends, fans, and fellow pageant contestants. Abbie Stockard, who was crowned Miss America in 2025, wrote in the comments: "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."
Social media influencer Taryn Delanie Smith expressed her heartbreak, noting, "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 memories, writing, "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.'"
Legacy and Memorial Plans
In their Instagram post, Everett's family highlighted her undeniable impact on the world and pledged to carry on her legacy of advocacy and praise. They requested privacy as they mourn and indicated that details of her memorial would be shared with loved ones in the coming days, asking for prayers during this difficult time.
Carrie Everett's story underscores the devastating impact of rare cancers on young individuals and has brought attention to the challenges of diagnosing and treating aggressive diseases like signet ring cell carcinoma. Her memory lives on through the tributes of those who knew her and the legacy she leaves behind in the pageant community and beyond.
