Shantel Gillespie, a young mother of three, was found murdered in her apartment on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
Her death came just two days after completing her nursing degree and weeks before Christmas.
Shantel, 30, was a bright light to those around her. Born and raised in Mandeville, Jamaica, she moved to the United States in 2014 to build a better life.
For the past five years, she worked at Boston Children’s Hospital as a Clinical Assistant, providing care for patients and families.
Despite long work hours, she still made time to nurture her three children, all under the age of six.
Shantel’s sister, Shanakay Gillespie, shared how determined Shantel was to create a better future for her family.
She worked tirelessly to earn her degree from Laboure College of Healthcare while breaking free from a history of domestic violence.
Tragically, Shantel’s hard work and dreams were cut short before she could walk the graduation stage.
“My sister gave her all to ensure her children would never lack anything,” Shanakay said. “She overcame so many challenges, and we celebrated her victory together. Now, we are left to mourn her loss.”
Shantel’s family is now left grappling with immense grief while raising funds for her funeral. They plan to return her to Jamaica, where she can rest in peace.
They are also seeking justice, urging the community to help shed light on her case.
Shanakay emphasized the importance of speaking up for victims of domestic violence, a battle Shantel fought silently for years.
The family has created a fundraiser to cover the costs of her funeral, support her children’s future, and aid in the pursuit of justice for her murder.
“Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference,” Shanakay added. “Please help us honor Shantel’s memory and ensure her children have the future she worked so hard to provide.”
