The St John’s Anglican Cathedral was a deluge of pink as mourners honoured Chantel Crump as their collective grief manifested into a sea of her favourite colour.
The nine-year-old, whose kidnapping and subsequent murder in March shocked the nation, was laid to rest yesterday, one day after what would have been her 10th birthday.
Hundreds of mourners, many dressed in pink and black, filled the cathedral to pay their final respects to the young girl who had captured the hearts of Antiguans and Barbudans.
Family members, teachers, classmates and community members gathered to celebrate her life and mourn her tragic loss.
Chantel’s mother, Marsha Crump, delivered an emotional tribute, reading a heartfelt poem in memory of her daughter.
“I only need you, my little Angel Chantel,” Marsha Crump said in the tribute to her daughter. “The same memories are growing well, maybe that’s true. I never want memories. I only want you.”
The eulogy was delivered by Chantel’s aunt, Jane Benjamin, who painted a picture of a loving, graceful child who was devoted to her father.
“She was a daddy’s girl, for sure,” Benjamin said. “She was kind, helpful and a thoughtful young lady. When her father came from work, it was customary for her to take his bag, work shoes, offer him something to drink, and bring his favourite hot meal.”
Benjamin described how Chantel would hug and kiss her father every day before and after work, saying “Daddy, you have a good day today. Love you,” in her little voice.
Teachers and classmates paid their tributes to Chantel who was remembered as a small child with a gentle nature and generous spirit.
According to her aunt, Chantel walked with “style and grace and flair” and was known as a “cheerful giver. Right down to her last dollar, she would give to help her friends and classmates in every way.”
Benjamin also recalled Chantel’s caring nature toward her teachers. “She had such a big heart; she gave hugs daily to her teachers and carried their bags if she could manage.”
“Who would have imagined that that Wednesday in March would have been the last day that you spent with them at school?” Benjamin remarked tearfully.
Angela Mejia, the 20-year-old woman accused of murdering Chantel, remains in prison custody as she faces criminal charges at the St John’s Magistrate Court.
Reverend Dean Dwane Cassius delivered remarks during the service, addressing the community’s grief while emphasizing the need to protect children and the importance of trusted adults in their lives.
“Evil is a choice. Nobody practices evil by accident,” Cassius told the congregation. “But I have good news for you children. Love is also a choice. And in this land of Antigua and Barbuda, we can say that we have far, far more adults who love children than those who want to harm them.”
The reverend spoke directly to children in attendance about the support systems available to them.
“In addition to your parents, there are lots of people who want to see you grow. There are lots of people who want to see you succeed. There are lots of people in this land who want to see you grow and do amazing things for your country and for your God,” he said.
Cassius reminded children present about the importance of trusting only people they know and seeking help from parents and teachers when needed.
“Your parents are your champion. When you’re at school, your teachers are your champions,” he told them.
The reverend also offered comfort regarding Chantel’s passing. “I am fully, fully convinced in my heart and my mind that your sister Chantel is in the arms of God.”
Speaking about divine purpose, Cassius said, “Before you were born, I knew you. Long before we entered this world, God shaped and created us in his own hands for our purpose.”
As the service concluded, Cassius encouraged the community to honour Chantel’s memory by working toward better protection for all children in the nation.
“As we lay her body to rest, let us never allow our memory of her to rest,” he said. “We must now be motivated and encouraged toward better protection for our children; better for our nation.”
Chantel was finally laid to rest at the St John’s Public Cemetery surrounded by pink flowers and fluffy teddy bears as she now sleeps in peace in the hands of the Heavenly Father.
