Caretaker for St John’s Rural West, Michael Joseph, has condemned what he described as a smear campaign against the family of the late Chantel Crump.

His comments come in response to a social media post by Jessica Cassandra Roland, who accused Crump’s relatives of being “greedy” and soliciting funds.

Joseph said the allegations were baseless and unfair, particularly towards Marsha and Ernest Crump, Chantel’s grieving parents. “My experience with the family has been the complete opposite,” he said, adding that he has worked closely with them since Chantel was first reported missing.

He stressed that at no point did the family request or hint at financial assistance. “The only request made was for help organising the candlelight vigil, which I sponsored willingly,” he said.

Calling for compassion, Joseph said it was disheartening to see assumptions made about a family still grappling with immense loss. “The public is reminded that what we see isn’t always what it appears to be,” he said.