“Not Sure”…Gov’t Responds to State Funeral Calls for Chantel Crump

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Residents are rallying for a state funeral for 9-year-old Chantel Crump, who was tragically abducted and killed last month. Many in the community believe that Chantel deserves an official farewell, citing her age and the shocking nature of her death.

However, the response from the government has been cautious. According to the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister, state funerals are typically not extended to individuals who are victims of homicide. “I am not sure. The answer is I don’t know. We have not discussed that,” he stated when asked by Antigua.news about the possibility of a state funeral for Chantel.

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The local community continues to express their grief and support for Chantel’s family, emphasizing the need for a proper tribute to honor her memory.

As discussions unfold, it remains to be seen whether the government will reconsider their stance in light of the public outcry.

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/04/04/not-suregovt-responds-to-state-funeral-calls-for-chantel-crump. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Comments (9)

  • Rhea April 4, 2025, 5:58 AM

    Chantel’s case feels like more than just a homicide. As a child going about her own business and trying to get home, as a family who has left to mourn n treated like crazy even being barred off from the court, the nicest thing the government can do is offer Chantel an Official Funeral. Already yall protecting the monster that was against her
    Reply
  • Antigua Surf April 4, 2025, 6:04 AM

    Of course the government will not discuss that, they just through a nine year old under the bus like nothing. Yall have this girl peacefully living while Chantel’s family is living in agony. The most the government can do is an official funeral for this little angel
    Reply
  • Food4thought April 4, 2025, 6:07 AM

    Let’s forget about the state funeral. Will we get the justice Chantel deserves? That’s my question.
    Reply
  • Starlight April 4, 2025, 6:25 AM

    In All Honestly She Doesn’t Necessarily Needs A State Funeral !!!! She can have a nice huge funeral with police escorts and so forth but a state funeral is too much for a baby…with no gun firing and folding of flag etc ….I find just partake in giving her an awesome send off ….let’s focus more on why the place is so quiet now concerning her death….thats what should be the highlight
    Reply
    • Honestly speaking April 4, 2025, 6:30 AM

      She doesn’t necessarily need a state funeral. What she need is justice. The person who killed her should be killed. State funeral wa. Who cares about state funerals. These politicians who are criminals gets state funeral so there’s no big turn on this. She should be buried peacefully like the beautiful soul that she was. But there should be marches and street protests and boots on the ground to ensure this child’s killer gets maximum or death. We nahhhh care about state funerals.
      Reply
    • Boss Lady April 4, 2025, 9:18 AM

      I agree with your comment..also all Primary schools should be closed on tht day…
      Reply
    • Beverly April 4, 2025, 1:15 PM

      Sometimes we get emotional when things like that happen. And of course we should be emotional. This child’s life was taken away from her in a very bad way..but of she gets an official or state funeral them everyone will begin to ask for one. You know Antiguans already. Black people for that matter. They will say chantel got one so we need one. Let’s try to do something special for her but no state funeral
      Reply
  • Juju Bee April 4, 2025, 7:13 AM

    We need justice for Chantel. A state funeral won’t bring her back now will it get her the justice she needs. I still don’t know why we believe a state funeral is warranted
    Did George Floyd get a state funeral for the price he paid for really shinning the spotlight on police brutality on black people
    Reply
  • Faithful national #1 April 4, 2025, 10:20 AM

    The ENTIRE nation is still in mourning over the tragic events leading to the death of this school child, and i am sure that ALL would agree that something special should be done to commemorate her young life. There comes a moment, however when we must maintain our sobriety and good sense and not fall prey to selfish, devious, thrill seekers – some even well-intentioned – to create unnecessary confusion. Every death, especially that of a child, is an excruciating experience whether by murder, accident or illness.
    However, according to existing guidelines, baby Chantal does NOT qualify for either a state or official funeral. Chantel does not need such. Such pomp and ceremony might benefit family mourners only. Chantel, from beyond the grave, MUST be crying out for JUSTICE.
    1) Why has there been only ONE arrest so far?
    2) Why are the Police so reticent in sharing with a grieving and growingly suspicious public the current status of their investigations into this child’s murder?
    3) Has the cistern, once an object of great interest to Police, now drained, been emptied of the sediments that lie at the bottom of the cistern or has Sinbad the SAILORMAN and his fellow cartoon characters been granted the opportunity to destroy critical evidence?
    4) have any special deals been arranged with the Hispanic population currently sharing our space?
    5) Haa, the government contracted with the criminal authorities in the US to accept a quota of Santo Domingan deportees under the guise of importing “much needed construction workers!!”?
    Those people requesting State or Official funeral for Chantel need to be examined under a microscope. They seem too anxious to bring down the curtains on this child’s murder and by doing so in grand style bring to an end any further public demands for conclusive investigations in the Chantel Crump case.
    SAY NO TO THIS ARTIFICIAL SHOW. INSTEAD, DEMAND THAT AUTHORITIES ARREST, TRY AND SENTENCE TO DEATH THE ENTIRE CAST OF MURDERERS WHOEVER THEY MAY BE, WHEREVER THEY MAY BE FOUND.
    JUSTICE FOR CHANTEL NOW!!!!⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️
    Reply

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