Kansas City Chiefs Cheer Alum Krystal Anderson Dies After Stillbirth

Kansas City is mourning the loss of a beloved community member.

Former Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader Krystal Anderson died days after welcoming her stillborn daughter Charlotte at 21 weeks. Anderson was hospitalized after spiking a fever and then endured a battle with sepsis that led to organ failure. Despite three surgeries, she passed away.

In reminiscing about Krystal, her husband, Clayton Anderson, fondly recalls her as a radiant presence, describing her as “an absolute force for good that made every room just light up.” The Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader organization, in a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, celebrated Krystal’s remarkable legacy. They not only praised her extensive tenure, spanning over 100 games, including performances in distant locales like London and Kuwait but also highlighted her character and the profound impact she had on her teammates.

“She was loved and adored by her teammates, fans, and strangers who were never strangers for long. After her time as a cheerleader, she continued to share her love of dance and Chiefs Cheer by serving in an alumni role on gameday, practices, and at events. We will miss her kind spirit, joyful energy, and her sparkle. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones. We will cherish every moment we had with her,” the team wrote.

In an interview with Fox4KC, Clayton Anderson reflected on his wife’s multifaceted persona, underscoring her passion for yoga and her impactful career as a software engineer. Working with Oracle Health, Krystal had even contributed to a patent for software aimed at diagnosing postpartum hemorrhage, a testament to her commitment to improving maternal healthcare outcomes.

Amid his grief, Clayton Anderson’s words carry a poignant call to action as he addresses the systemic challenges faced by Black women in maternal healthcare. The US has the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed country, and Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-and birth-related complications than white women. “It’s, you know, we say, the best country in the world, right,” he said, referring to the United States. “Not if you’re a Black pregnant woman, it’s not and that needs to change.” You can contribute to Krystal Anderson’s celebration of life and funeral expenses via GoFundMe at GoFundMe.com.