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Pathologist Clarifies “Undetermined” Death Finding

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Dr. Lester Simon, Deceased 9-Year-Old Chantel Crump

Dr. Lester Simon, a local pathologist, has issued a statement seeking to clarify the process following reports that the cause of death for nine-year-old Chantel Crump was found to be inconclusive.

The young girl’s death shocked the nation after she went missing, prompting a three-day search involving police and hundreds of community volunteers.

According to witnesses, Chantel was seen entering a vehicle less than a minute’s walk from her home. The search ended tragically when her body was discovered in the old Weatherills plantation on March 15.

In a detailed Facebook post, Dr. Simon explained the meaning of an “undetermined” cause of death, though he did not specifically reference the Crump case.

“When the autopsy findings are not clear enough to allow the pathologist to write a definitive cause of death, ‘Undetermined’ can be written on the death certificate,” Dr. Simon wrote. “It does not mean that the case is over and done with. Quite the contrary.”

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Dr. Simon clarified that such a finding actually signals “the continuation of a series of all types of investigations and tests on a large number of tissue samples harvested from the body, as well as those from elsewhere.” He explained that this allows for burial while further testing continues.

“When additional information becomes available, the undetermined cause of death will be amended to record and register the determined cause of death,” he added.

The investigation into Chantel’s death remains active. Twenty-year-old Angela Mejia has been charged with the child’s murder and is currently in custody at His Majesty’s Prison.

Dr. Simon’s post also outlined the coroner process in Antigua and Barbuda, explaining the legal procedures and the roles of various authorities in handling unnatural or unusual deaths.

This story was first published by Antigua News on April 26, 2025: antigua.news/2025/04/26/pathologist-clarifies-undetermined-death-finding. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Comments (21)

  • Antigua Surf April 26, 2025, 9:35 AM

    Thank you, Dr. Simon, for your clear and thorough explanation. With public interest in this case at such a high level, it was imperative that the police provide similar clarity through a news conference. The continued lack of information and transparency has only served to heighten public anxiety and frustration. As you have skillfully shown, clear communication is not difficult and it should have been a priority from the outset to maintain public trust and confidence.
    Reply

    • Unruly One April 26, 2025, 9:25 PM

      I agree but its still baffling, i am hoping that this is not used as a way to get killer off.
      Reply

    • Antiguan to the Bone 🦴 April 27, 2025, 8:35 PM

      Many pathologists globally can state that a cause of death can be inconclusive. It happens and has no bearing on the government. Neither does it mean that the pathologist is not doing his job well. I saw all the negative comments when the news broke, vilifying both the government and Dr, and was quite disappointed that the disgruntled people who did not understand the process, and, how cause of death can be inconclusive, yet they did not seek knowledge from the medical field before making false accusations, and making it sound like Dr Simon was incompetent Thank you Dr Simon for clarifying the matter and quelling the gossip regarding this issue.
      Reply

  • Shelly April 26, 2025, 9:51 AM

    His reputation done spoil during Covid so nothing he says is soothing to the soul. You can’t tell me you can’t find the cause of death for a child. A child! Just miss me with the BS
    Reply

    • Teacher for Life April 26, 2025, 9:56 AM

      Shelly , I totally agree!!!
      Reply

    • Ping April 26, 2025, 10:51 AM

      Me too!!!
      Reply

    • Villa proud April 26, 2025, 11:05 AM

      You all just love to bring down your own.thats a born and bread antiguan i went to school with him great guy
      Reply

    • Donna April 26, 2025, 8:17 PM

      Not because you went to school with him. He should have seek help from other pathologist within the Caribbean region after he could not come to a conclusion in cause of death.
      Reply

  • Qurious April 26, 2025, 9:55 AM

    Thank you for the clarification on this most hurtful issue. We all await the final results. Justice must prevail!
    Reply

    • Valarie April 26, 2025, 6:57 PM

      Dr Simom thanks for the clarity but I find it strange the police knew of the autopsy results and failed to say a word to anyone.. so in the absence of a cause of death madam Angela can walk?
      Reply

    • Concerned April 28, 2025, 5:10 AM

      No, Angela will not be released as she has already confessed to the murder. An inconclusive autopsy has no bearing on the actual case as the child sadly was killed and the perpetrator is behind bars until the case where she will be judged by a jury of peers and hopefully jailed for life.
      Reply

  • MD April 26, 2025, 9:57 AM

    I’m an MD and honestly, this is beyond frustrating. Where are the competent pathologists? I’ve done autopsies how is it even possible that a cause of death hasn’t been found yet? It’s embarrassing. At this point, I’m wondering if I should call in friends from other countries to get it done properly. This level of delay is absolutely ridiculous.
    Reply

    • Paul April 26, 2025, 10:52 AM

      I totally agree with you, Doctor.
      Reply

    • Rene April 26, 2025, 1:26 PM

      So why is he saying he isn’t speaking directly to the chantel matter? Man you speaking directly to the matter. I hate when you keep going around in circles. Just speak to the matter. You all dropped the ball..find out what killed the child
      Reply

  • Devorn Carter April 26, 2025, 10:01 AM

    Clarifications to protect and you know what, Antiguans are going to run with it. I mean, how do you expect a family to bury their loved one in peace and they don’t know what kill them? Much less a child. I just don’t understand this
    Reply

  • Luka Johnson April 26, 2025, 11:43 AM

    As professionals in the area they cannot find the cause of something?
    Reply

  • JUST THINKING April 26, 2025, 1:29 PM

    Me too, I ve watch Dr G, and she always find cause of death especially in a murder victim
    Reply

    • Donna April 26, 2025, 8:27 PM

      It seems we might need to called in Dr. G for help. She can use this autopsy case of Chantel in one of her tv 📺 program.
      Reply

  • Schooled in the school of Hard Knox April 26, 2025, 6:40 PM

    Folks is it me or is it a conspiracy to hide the truth from us. The report above clearly states,”………the legal procedures and roles in handling unusual and unnatural deaths”. This further confirms the speculation that she may have been a “sacrifice” considering at the time it was a ‘Blood Moon’ and how quickly she was murdered and then found. Tell us the truth we are not dumb. People of Antigua and Barbuda Wake up. The bible CANNOT lie.
    Reply

  • Juju Bee April 26, 2025, 7:49 PM

    Well we patiently await the results of those additional tests
    Reply

  • Anonymous May 3, 2025, 7:01 AM

    This is so sad that all on her death bed , the child has to go through so much . Continue to sleep Chantel . Hope the findings will be cleared. Them people wicked a R.
    Reply

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