Acting Commissioner of Police Everton Jeffers appealed for public patience yesterday as authorities await conclusive findings in the investigation of Chantel Crump’s death.
During a press conference at Police Headquarters, Jeffers revealed that initial post-mortem results were inconclusive, requiring additional specialized testing overseas.
Chantel’s death sent the nation into mourning following an intense three-day search involving police and hundreds of community members. Witnesses reported seeing the child being driven away in a vehicle, which she entered less than a minute’s walk from her home.
“I know the public’s interest in this particular matter, and what we are doing, we are appealing to the public to be patient; allow the investigation to run its course,” Jeffers said. “At the end of the day, when the toxicology test is done, then the pathologist will tell us exactly what is the cause of death.”
Jeffers stressed that specialized expertise is required in this investigation, adding, “It is not for the police to do the test. It’s for the pathologist to do that test, and after that, they will determine what, if anything, is the cause of death.”
According to the Acting Commissioner, forensic samples have been collected and are being prepared for shipment overseas for advanced toxicology and laboratory testing. Officials did not provide a timeline for when these results might become available.
The investigation remains active as authorities await the toxicology findings, which they hope will provide definitive answers about the circumstances surrounding Crump’s death.
Jeffers assured the public that further updates would be provided once the additional test results are received and analyzed by pathologists.
