GoFundMe started to cover celebration of life expenses for Keene, NH woman found in Warwick

Police found the body of Justina Steffy, 31, from Keene, New Hampshire, in Warwick during a more than three-week missing person investigation.

Police found the body of Justina Steffy, 31, from Keene, New Hampshire, in Warwick during a more than three-week missing person investigation. KEENE, NH POLICE

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

Staff Writer

Published: 11-05-2024 3:55 PM

WARWICK — Friends and family of Justina Steffy — the 31-year-old woman from Keene, New Hampshire, whose body was found in Warwick after she went missing in early October — have raised more than $2,500 for her celebration of life expenses.

Keene Police announced last Thursday that human remains found in Warwick were identified as Steffy. The announcement followed more than three weeks of searching by state and local police from Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

On Saturday, Kelli Lucier created a GoFundMe page with the goal of raising $4,000 for Steffy’s celebration of life. Since then, 44 donors — each making contributions ranging from $15 to $200 — have raised $2,533. Lucier’s relation to Steffy is unclear and Lucier could not be reached immediately for comment on Monday.

“[Steffy] was a cherished daughter, sister, mother and dear friend who brought so much love and light into our lives,” Lucier wrote. “If you ever had the pleasure of meeting her, you know that she had a strong love for life and would give the shirt off her back for anyone. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.”

Lucier stated that as Steffy’s family members plan her “final farewell” and cremation, they are facing financial hurdles. The date for Steffy’s celebration of life has not yet been determined, Lucier wrote.

In a written statement, Keene Police said the investigation remains ongoing as they work with other law enforcement agencies to determine the circumstances of Steffy’s death.

“Autopsy results are currently pending further forensic testing, and the circumstances as to how Ms. Steffy came to be in Massachusetts are being actively investigated by the Keene Police Department,” Michael Garrity, a spokesperson for the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, wrote in an email on Friday.

Garrity also wrote that due to the investigation being “active and ongoing,” the state could not provide further information on the specific location where Steffy’s body was found or the date and time her body was discovered. On Monday, Garrity added that the results of Steffy’s autopsy were “still pending.”

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A portion of Hastings Heights Road in Warwick was closed from approximately 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, until noon the next day as both Massachusetts and New Hampshire law enforcement searched for Steffy. Hastings Heights Road residents reported seeing ambulances and both state and local law enforcement vehicles.

Those who wish to donate to Steffy’s celebration of life can do so by visiting gofundme.com/f/support-justina-steffys-final-farewell.

“We want to give her the dignified and heartfelt send-off she deserves,” Lucier wrote. “We are reaching out to our community for support in honoring Justina’s memory. Any contribution, no matter how small, will help alleviate the financial strain and allow us to focus on grieving and remembering her fondly.”

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or
413-930-4429.