The Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin issues a Statement on the deaths of Chantel Crump and Iyo Malone

MEDIA STATEMENT

ON

THE DEATH OF A POLICE OFFICER and THE KILLING OF A 9-YEAR OLD

These past 72 hours have been very painful and difficult for two families, their friends and neighbours, for school mates, for Police Officers, in fact for the entire  population of Antigua and Barbuda.

On Wednesday evening 12 March 2025, parents  reported that their 9-year old daughter, Chantel Crump, failed to return home from The Five Islands Primary School and could not be found. By Thursday morning, 13 March 2025, the entire nation was aroused by the ugliness of that report which caused everyone to feel threatened and we began praying for  the safe return of the 9-year old to her parents.

With the assistance of the community and neighbours, the Police were able to detain a man and his female partner. The man was the registered owner of the vehicle into which the young girl entered freely. The Police persisted with their questioning of the couple. Finally on Friday night, the female suspect on her own volition took the Police Officers to a secluded area at Weatherills Estate, and showed them where the young girl’s body could be found. After conducting the necessary police procedures the body was taken to a funeral home.

This morning, a large crowd gathered outside of Police Headquarters on American Road expressing its sympathies with the family of Chantel Crump. Acting Police Commissioner Ellerton Jeffers addressed the crowd, shared the details of the findings in that harrowing case, and thanked the public for its assistance and the valuable information which led the detention of the two suspects. In my capacity as Attorney General and with specific responsibility as Minister for Public Safety, I express condolences to the Mom and Dad of the deceased, to other members of the Crump family, the little girl’s schoolmates, the community of Grays-Green, and the entire nation of Antigua and Barbuda.

While the nation’s focus was squarely placed on the tragedy of Chantel Crump, another was unfolding at the Langfords Police Station where a female officer, Senior Sergeant Iyo Malone, a a police officer with more than a decade of experience, apparently took her life by discharging a handgun that brought an end to her life. This incident was most unfortunate and regrettable. In this regard too, I express heartfelt sympathies to the Malone family including her children, her colleagues in the RPFAB, her friends and the entire nation of Antigua and Barbuda.

These two shocking and inexplicable occurences have brought much pain, suffering and concerns for the people of Antigua and Barbuda. I must thank the public for its support, understanding, and concern for the safety of the citizenry of this country. Finally, I must thank the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda for its professional approach  in solving these two regrettable incidents in a very short space of time. May the souls of these deceased persons rest in eternal peace. May God  continue to bless us and may we always remember to love one another. -end-

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